CVD is the second leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa
Africa is home to more than 1 billion people and is a major contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
In 2019, more than 1 million deaths were attributable to CVD in sub-Saharan Africa, which constituted 5.4% of all global CVD-related deaths and 13% of all deaths in Africa.
1M+
More than 1 million people die every year from CVD in Africa
High blood pressure is responsible for more than half of all CVD deaths in Africa
Living with CVD in Africa
Reforming rural healthcare: hypertension in Kenya
The beat of change: rheumatic heart disease in Mozambique
Colours to Save Hearts
RHD is the most commonly acquired heart disease in people under 25
Colours to Save Hearts is an initiative aimed at raising awareness of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among children, teachers and parents, and educate them about the link between sore throat and rheumatic heart disease, how to recognise symptoms and what to do when they first appear.
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Our Members
Heart Association of Mozambique
Ivorian Society of Cardiology
Mauritius Heart Foundation
Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research
Senegalese Society of Cardiology
Uganda Heart Research Foundation
WHF African Summit on Best Practices and Access to Care
The World Heart Federation African Summit on Best Practices and Access to Care was held in Khartoum, Sudan on 10 and 11 October 2017 in collaboration with the Pan African Society of Cardiology, African Heart Network and Sudan Heart Society.
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The Beat of Change: Celia’s Story
Rheumatic fever is a neglected disease that, if left untreated, develops into the life-threatening rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Mozambique is one of the countries with the highest rates of RHD, mostly affecting children between 5 and 15 years old. This mini documentary takes an intimate look into the experience of Celia, a young girl from […]
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Colours to Save Hearts: Raising awareness of RHD in Maputo, Mozambique
In March 2022, WHF organized a site visit to Maputo, Mozambique, as part of the Colours to Save Hearts programme. Operated by the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research and implemented by the National Health Institute of Mozambique (INS), Colours to Save Hearts is a WHF initiative aimed at raising awareness of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) […]
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease is achievable if we put our heads and minds to it
This editorial was authored by WHF Director of Policy and Advocacy Jeremiah Mwangi and was first published in FORESIGHT Global Health on 19 August 2021. Preventable, yet persistent, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most commonly acquired heart disease in people under 25 years of age. The World Heart Federation (WHF) is committed to the […]
Rheumatic Heart Disease
World Heart Summit 2022 to be held in Geneva—the heart of global health diplomacy
In 2022, for the very first time, the World Heart Federation’s World Heart Summit will be held in Geneva, Switzerland – the heart of global health policymaking and diplomacy. This exclusive, invitation-only event, which brings together leaders and innovators in the field of cardiovascular health, will take place on 21-22 May 2022, just ahead of […]
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