Cardiovascular disease rising among the poor

"People generally think that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a problem of the rich, but if you speak to healthcare professionals working at grassroots level, it is clear that there is a growing problem of heart disease and stroke among the poor", says Fouche.

In an attempt to proactively address this worrying phenomenon, Pharma Dynamics, one of SA's largest distributors of cardiovascular medication, has teamed up with the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa during September, which is national Heart Awareness Month, to draw greater attention to the disease among the poorer communities of South Africa.

The Foundation's Heart Awareness roadshow, which builds up to World Heart Day (September 29), will be held throughout September and will target communities in and around Cape Town, Durban and PE.

High incidence of violence linked to rise in heart disease

Fouche cites the high incidence of violence among the contributing factors linked to the rise in heart disease among the poor.

"Poorer communities tend to be exposed to a lot more violence, which may heighten their risk. The chronically high stress levels that members of these communities suffer daily may cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which may damage the artery walls and contribute to cardiovascular conditions. These effects are especially harmful to the children that grow up in violent communities.

"Children who suffer ill-health as a result of experiencing persistently high doses of trauma and adversity shouldn't be dismissed as simply part of an impoverished community norm. This is why our awareness roadshow will extend its focus on the effects of not only poor nutrition and lack of physical activity, but also on the influence that violence has on heart health," says Fouche.

Food insecurity

Another cause for the surge in heart disease among the poor is food insecurity.

"When people don't have assurances about their income or food availability they often eat high-density foods to store calories, so they don't starve when future meals are unavailable. The problem of not having enough food is now made worse by eating food that is of little nutritional value, but is calorie-rich and very cheap. Cheaper food contains a lot of salt and refined sugars - both of which increase the risk of heart disease."

Dietary and lifestyle changes coupled with occupational shifts as a result of widespread labour migration to urban centres are also contributing to the epidemic of high blood pressure, obesity and stroke.

"Studies have shown that urbanisation leads to dietary changes towards adoption of the so-called 'Western diet', which is high in animal proteins, fat and sugar. This is often accompanied by other lifestyle changes including alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and physical inactivity, increasing the risk for CVD," she says.

In addition to the educational drive by Pharma Dynamics and the Foundation during Heart Awareness Month, comprehensive health risk assessments will also be conducted to ensure that early warning signs are detected among people who would generally not have easy access to undertake these potentially life-saving tests.

"We will provide vital information about heart disease, tailored for and relevant to the communities' needs, and we will also conduct comprehensive health screenings, which will include blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose testing," says Fouche.

Dr Vash Mungal-Singh, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation has welcomed the partnership between Pharma Dynamics and the Foundation as "a step in the right direction."

"So many resources are spent on educating the more affluent groups of our society, while the poor are often neglected. The earlier the risk of heart disease can be detected, the sooner steps can be taken to prevent its development, especially among the poor who do not have the funds to treat a life-long debilitating illness, rendering them completely unable to work and earn an income," says Mungal-Singh.

For a complete list of screening dates and locations contact Amina Habib at the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA on +27 (0) 21 403 6450.