Understanding and preventing hypertension, Cameroon’s silent killer

Hypertension, often referred to as the silent killer, claims over 17,000 lives annually across Cameroon. This pervasive condition impacts approximately one in three adults within the country. A significant disparity in prevalence is observed, with urban centers like Yaoundé and Douala experiencing considerably higher rates compared to rural and semi-urban areas. Current data indicates that nearly 39% of individuals aged between 25 and 70 years are living with hypertension.

Dr. Djoumessi Romance, a rhythmologist cardiologist at the Biyem-Assi District Hospital in Yaoundé, attributes the recent surge in cases to the adoption of modern lifestyles by many citizens. “Cameroonians have increasingly embraced diets excessively rich in salt and fats,” Dr. Romance observed. “We also note a frequent and elevated consumption of alcohol and tobacco. When these factors combine with genetic predispositions and age, the incidence curve becomes alarmingly steep.”

The number of affected individuals in Yaoundé alone runs into the thousands. In the Nkolbikok neighborhood, located in the sixth arrondissement, I encountered an octogenarian still undergoing treatment.

Faustin Onana Ebodé recounted his harrowing experience after suffering a stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident – CVA). “I narrowly escaped death,” he testified. “That day, I returned home as usual. Around 10 PM, I felt an intense pressure. Immediately, I lost the ability to speak, and my entire left side became unresponsive. My life was saved thanks to the swift action of my wife, a nurse, who rushed me to the hospital. I had been suffering from hypertension without even realizing it.”

Institutions such as the Ministry of Public Health and the Cameroonian Society of Cardiology are consistently issuing warnings, emphasizing the critical need for Cameroonians to modify their lifestyles and seek early screening. To prevent severe complications associated with the disease, particularly if detected, it is strongly advised to have one’s blood pressure checked at least twice a year.