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Physician Specialist and Cardiologist, Dr. Albert Agbi has alerted the public that Cardiovascular diseases are now the leading cause of death in Ghana.
Speaking on GTV Breakfast Show on Monday November 24, 2025, He explained that lifestyle-related, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes have overtaken infections like HIV and tuberculosis as the primary causes of mortality.
“Now more people are dying from lifestyle-related diseases, which are non-communicable. These include hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes,” Dr. Albert said. “In the past decade, we used to die more from infections, but today the pattern has changed.”
He noted that hypertension alone affects 3 to 4 out of every 10 adults over 30 in Ghana, and many people remain unaware of their risk because they do not regularly check their blood pressure. Dr. Albert also highlighted that complications from cardiovascular disease now increasingly affect people in their 30s and 40s, rather than only the elderly.
“The risk is moving downward because people are not living healthy lifestyles and are not taking their health seriously,” he said. “Stroke units and emergency wards are full of patients, many of whom are under 50.”
He outlined key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which include both modifiable factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, and sleep patterns, and non-modifiable factors like age, genetics, and family history.
“You need to monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” Dr. Albert emphasized. “Even if you feel fine, you may have a problem that goes unnoticed. Early detection is crucial to preventing serious complications like heart failure, kidney disease, or stroke.”
Dr. Albert stressed the importance of lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and managing stress. He also advised regular medical check-ups, as heart disease can often progress silently without obvious symptoms.
“Sometimes people think a fast heartbeat or mild discomfort is malaria or anaemia, but it could be a heart problem,” he said. “It is always better to get checked by a healthcare professional to catch potential issues early.”
He further noted that Ghana faces a shortage of cardiologists, particularly outside major teaching hospitals, which makes early detection and management of heart disease more challenging. Dr. Albert called for increased medical training and resources to improve cardiovascular care across the country.
“The biggest challenges are human resources and access to diagnostic facilities,” he said. “Many echocardiogram-capable centers exist, but there aren’t enough trained professionals to operate them. We need more support and awareness to reduce the burden of heart disease in Ghana.”
