{
  "id": 10539630,
  "title": "WORLD HEART DAY: SA’s heart health crisis demands a public health response",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/world-heart-day-sas-heart-health-crisis-demands-a-public-health",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T21:48:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-28-sas-heart-health-crisis-demands-a-public-health-response/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa faces a severe heart health crisis, with 225 lives lost daily due to heart disease or stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation reveals these conditions account for nearly one in six deaths, and more than half of cardiovascular deaths occur before age 65. Many victims are midlife breadwinners, parents or caregivers. This World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation urges \"Don’t Miss a Beat\" – acknowledge hidden signs, safeguard our hearts and demand action.\n\nHypertension is a major contributor, driving half of strokes and two-fifths of heart attacks. Despite strides in HIV screening, only 54% of hypertensive patients in South Africa are aware of their condition, 47% are on treatment, and only a quarter have controlled blood pressure. Awareness is particularly low among adults under 40. To combat this \"silent killer,\" routine blood pressure screening is essential, with only 24% of adults under 40 aware of their hypertension status.\n\nAddressing heart health requires a comprehensive approach beyond the heart alone. Many heart patients have comorbidities like diabetes, HIV, cancer and depression. Our research shows hypertension often coexists with these conditions. For instance, in our breast cancer study, hypertension was prevalent among participants, highlighting the need for integrated care that links cardiovascular health to other chronic illnesses.\n\nThe health system's fragmented nature hinders efficient monitoring and support for patients with multiple conditions. We lack digital tools for managing multimorbidity and tracking patients' comprehensive health. Evaluating digital platforms like the Madiva dashboard and interventions like Enhance, which combines clinical decision support, health literacy materials and referral pathways, could help improve care for patients with multiple chronic conditions, including hypertension.\n\nHealth is a right, not a choice. Public health policies and interventions must make healthier choices affordable and accessible, alongside accessible screening, medicines and ongoing care. Policies addressing socioeconomic barriers and ensuring equitable access to resources are crucial for preventing cardiovascular disease. Investing in data infrastructure and workforce development is also vital for strengthening our health system's capacity to manage heart-related and other chronic conditions effectively.",
  "summary": "South Africa’s heart health crisis claims 225 lives daily. Researchers call for routine blood pressure screening, integrated chronic care and policies that make prevention affordable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}