Cardiovascular disease has become Ghana's leading cause of death, accounting for 43 to 50 percent of overall mortality across the nation. In response to this growing public health crisis, the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) has officially inaugurated World Heart Awareness Month 2026 under the banner, "Heart disease can hide in plain sight: Don't miss a beat."
The launch brought together healthcare professionals, media representatives, corporate sponsors, and community stakeholders to address a threat that experts describe as a silent predator increasingly targeting younger demographics.
Dr. Kow Entsua-Mensah, Director of the NCTC, highlighted that combating cardiovascular disease requires a collective effort beyond the healthcare sector alone. He pointed out that conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles frequently inflict severe damage on the cardiovascular system well before any symptoms appear. To address this, he stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and community-level outreach.
"The theme serves as both an urgent warning and a call to action," Dr. Entsua-Mensah remarked, encouraging the public to prioritize routine screenings for blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels.
Elaborating on the campaign's core objectives, Campaign Committee Chairman Professor Alfred Doku shared critical data on the prevalence of heart disease in the country. He raised particular concern over uncontrolled hypertension affecting individuals under age 50, which is driving a sharp rise in strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure. Professor Doku cautioned that hypertension frequently progresses without noticeable symptoms until severe complications arise.
Throughout World Heart Awareness Month, the NCTC's vital message to the public is to stay informed about risk factors, undergo regular health checkups, and take proactive steps to safeguard cardiovascular health.
@VoltaToday
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