NAIROBI, Kenya – Medical experts are raising alarms over the rising cases of heart failure in Kenya, warning that the condition—often misunderstood and underdiagnosed—poses a growing public health threat.
Despite its increasing prevalence, many patients and caregivers remain unaware of the symptoms and treatment options, leading to delayed diagnosis and worsening outcomes.
Heart failure, characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention, significantly impacts quality of life and can become life-threatening if untreated.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, an estimated 15 million people in Africa will be living with the condition, underscoring the urgent need for improved awareness and access to treatment.
Unhealthy lifestyles—including poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and smoking—are major contributors to the rising incidence of heart disease and related fatalities.
Experts warn that Kenya is facing an escalating cardiovascular crisis that demands swift intervention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
Dr. Vijaysihn Patil, a cardiologist at Nairobi West Hospital, emphasized the importance of awareness initiatives such as Heart Failure Awareness Week, set to take place from February 10-15, 2025.
“With more people living with this condition, clinician education is vital to ensuring the best outcomes for our patients,” Dr. Patil said. “The increasing number of heart failure diagnoses underscores the need for an entire cardiology care team to stay on the cutting edge of management strategies.”
To tackle the crisis, Nairobi West Hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, operates a specialized heart failure awareness and cardiac consultation clinic.
The facility provides patients with the latest information and access to advanced treatment options, offering much-needed support for those managing heart disease.
A key step in improving heart failure outcomes is expanding treatment options.
Traditionally, patients with aortic valve issues required open-heart surgery to replace damaged valves, a procedure that carries significant risks, particularly for elderly patients or those with other health conditions.
However, advancements in medical technology are providing safer, less invasive alternatives.
“One of our most significant recent breakthroughs is the introduction of non-surgical heart procedures, such as Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT), which helps the heart beat in a more coordinated way, and implantable defibrillators (AICDs) that prevent sudden heart failure,” Dr. Patil said.
According to the latest Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for up to a quarter of all deaths in the country.
CVDs, which include conditions such as rheumatic heart disease, vascular diseases, and hypertension, have led to an estimated 25% of hospital admissions and 13% of deaths—a sharp increase over the past decade.
This rise is not confined to urban areas.
Experts note that heart disease is also becoming increasingly prevalent in rural communities, where access to healthcare services remains limited.
