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Heart diseases in Uganda

Dr Shetty says that a heart attack happens when something blocks the blood flow to your heart so it cannot get the oxygen it needs.

He says that depending on the cause, a variety of tests and treatments are used and a doctor may order a cardiac catheterization and this was the case for Johannes.

According to Dr. Shetty there are various types of heart diseases evident among Ugandans and the most common ones are congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease which is common in children and heart attacks which are common in adults.

He says that congenital heart disease, or a congenital heart defect, is a heart abnormality present at birth and can affect heart walls, heart valves and blood vessels whereas rheumatic heart disease is complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged.

He says that at least 10% of adults in Uganda have heart attacks and they are more common in men of 50 years and women of 60 years although there are rare cases of young adults of 20 years.

Shetty said that some of the causes of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes and lack of physical exercise.

He, however, says that the cause of heart disease at birth is not yet known and that babies born through artificial insemination are at higher risk of getting heart disease.

Shetty advises that heart diseases are avoidable with regular physical activity to help maintain a healthy weight and lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

He says that since congenital heart diseases cannot be prevented, it is advisable to detect and treat them earlier.

“To detect congenital heart disease, we advise that you must ensure that your baby is examined by the midwife, medical officer after birth. This simple procedure ensures that 70% of heart defects at birth are detected and treated in time,” he says.

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