By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, Sept. 30, GNA – Heart disease and stroke have accounted for more deaths in Ghanaian hospitals than any other recorded cause since 2016.
Dr Florence Akumiah, a Physician Specialist and Cardiology Fellow in training at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said this at a media engagement in Accra on Tuesday to mark World Heart Day.
She said about 45 per cent of deaths in Ghana were attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) accounting for about 18 per cent of total deaths, according to World Health Organisation data.
Dr Akumiah said the 2023 Ghana WHO STEPS survey of 5,438 adults across all 16 regions showed that about one in five Ghanaian adults had hypertension, equivalent to approximately 3.7 million people.
“Women recorded a higher prevalence of hypertension at 25.3 per cent compared with 18.2 per cent among men, while hypertension increased with age and was more prevalent in urban areas,” she said.
Dr Akumiah said more young people were presenting with complications including stroke, kidney disease and hypertensive emergencies, while many people with hypertension remained unaware of their condition.
Among those diagnosed, she said, not all were receiving treatment or achieving adequate blood pressure control.
The survey also recorded significant levels of overweight, obesity, high cholesterol and raised blood glucose, with about 70 per cent of participants having never checked their blood glucose and 90 per cent never having checked their cholesterol.
Dr Akumiah said excessive salt consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco use were among the lifestyle-related risk factors.
She said about nine in 10 people added salt while cooking, while some also added salt to prepared meals and consumed highly salted processed foods.
Dr Akumiah urged Ghanaians to “know their numbers” by regularly checking their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, adopting healthier diets and engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly.
Mrs Catherine Adu-Asare, Programme Manager, Diet and Healthy Lifestyle Programme, Ghana Health Service, said 76 per cent of Ghanaians consumed fewer than the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
She advised the public to reduce salt, processed and deep-fried foods, saturated and trans fats, and foods high in sugar, while increasing consumption of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
Mrs Adu-Asare also advised households to reduce their reliance on seasoning cubes and highly salted foods such as koobi and momoni, and use natural spices including garlic, ginger, onion, rosemary and thyme.
She urged people to limit sausages, instant noodles and other highly processed foods and use healthier cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, baking and grilling.
She called for healthier workplace and market environments, improved food labelling on sodium and trans fats, cardiovascular screening in primary healthcare, and affordable access to essential cardiovascular medicines.
World Heart Day is observed annually on September 29 to raise awareness of CVDs, including heart disease and stroke, and promote their prevention and control.
This year’s theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat,” focuses on early recognition of CVDs, prevention and access to appropriate cardiovascular health services.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey