Experts shed light on causes of the rise of heart disease among young Ghanaians

Two specialists recently shared insights on a concerning trend in Ghana and other sub-Saharan African nations: the increasing prevalence of heart disease among young individuals.

During the 12th Leadership Dialogue Series hosted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on June 6, 2024, Dr. Winfred Baah, a Consultant Physician at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and Pearl Exornam Selormey, a Registered Dietician Nutritionist, highlighted this worrisome development and proposed strategies to address it.

Dr. Baah referred to a study from a Nairobi university hospital showing that 27.2% of hospitalized acute coronary syndrome patients were under 50, with over half being smokers.

He emphasized the urgency of addressing heart disease in youth, noting its typically poor prognosis due to delayed medical care.

Dr. Baah noted that the situation in Ghana reflects a broader global trend, where 13.9 million children and young people are affected by heart disease.

"The early onset of heart disease in young individuals generally leads to a poor prognosis," Dr. Baah warned during the virtual event. "Many young people do not seek medical care and often present with advanced stages of the disease, making management more difficult."

Pearl Exornam Selormey discussed dietary factors contributing to heart disease, citing data indicating high obesity rates among Ghanaian women.

"When I saw the data that 50% of Ghanaian women are obese, I was a bit frightened. It means that we have a very high number of our women population at a very high risk factor for heart disease," she said.

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During their separate presentations, both experts identified several lifestyle factors contributing to the rise of heart disease among Ghanaians aged 18 to 45. These include:

• Obesity and Poor Diet: An increasing consumption of unhealthy foods.

• Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles are becoming more common.

• Substance Use: A rising use of smoking, including cigarettes and shisha, and other substances such as cocaine, opioids, electronic cigarettes, anabolic steroids, and glue.

"The smoking of shisha is becoming very common, especially among young women, due to the misconception that it is healthier than cigarette smoking," Dr. Baah noted. "Studies have shown that shisha smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease."

The experts stressed the need for systemic changes in healthcare, preventive education, and national health campaigns to combat this rising trend.

With concerted efforts, they believe it's possible to mitigate the impact of heart disease and secure a healthier future for Ghana's youth.