Two specialists have recently shed light on a troubling trend in Ghana and other sub-Saharan African countries: the growing incidence of heart disease among young people. During the 12th Leadership Dialogue Series organized 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, discussed this alarming development and suggested strategies to address it.

Dr. Baah referenced a study from a university hospital in Nairobi, which revealed that 27.2% of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome were under 50, with more than half being smokers.

He underscored the urgency of tackling heart disease in young individuals, highlighting that it often has a poor prognosis due to delayed medical attention.

Dr. Baah noted that the situation in Ghana mirrors a broader global trend, where 13.9 million children and young adults 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 addressed dietary factors contributing to heart disease, referencing data that showed high obesity rates among Ghanaian women.

"When I saw the data that 50% of Ghanaian women are obese, I was quite alarmed. It means that a significant portion of our female population is at high risk for heart disease," she said.

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: Increased consumption of unhealthy foods.

• Physical Inactivity: More common sedentary lifestyles.

• Substance Use: 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 emphasized 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 reduce the impact of heart disease and ensure a healthier future for Ghana's youth.

Source by www.ghanaweb.com