More resources urged to tackle Cardiovascular diseases in Ghana

Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) have assumed epidemic proportions in Ghana and more resources are needed to fight it, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) said here on Tuesday.

The GMA has stressed the need for measures to reduce the burden of CVDs and its associated complications.

“It is the hope of the Ghana Medical Association that a lot more resources would be made available for non-communicable diseases, including CVDs, to reduce the burden and associated complications,” it said.

Today, cardiovascular disease is the number-one cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa in adults over the age of 30, with the strongest drivers being undiagnosed and untreated hypertension, diabetes, rising obesity, smoking, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Experts say most CVDs can be prevented by adopting population-based approaches to address behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

China’s Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute plans to set up a cardio risk research centre at Ghana’s second referral facility, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, to support the treatment of heart diseases.