The silent killer lurking in urban centers of Cameroon claims over 17,000 lives annually. Nearly one in three adults in the country grapples with high blood pressure, with prevalence rates soaring in densely populated cities like Yaoundé and Douala compared to rural areas. Health data reveals that 39% of adults aged 25 to 70 in these regions are affected by this condition.
Dr. Romance Djoumessi, a cardiologist at Biyem-Assi District Hospital in Yaoundé, attributes the surge in cases to shifting lifestyle habits among residents: “Cameroonians have embraced diets laden with salt and unhealthy fats, alongside heavy consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Combined with genetic predispositions and aging, these factors create a perfect storm for hypertension.”
In Yaoundé’s Nkolbikok neighborhood, located in the sixth arrondissement, an 80-year-old resident remains under medical care, a stark example of the disease’s widespread reach. His story mirrors thousands of others who face the condition without prior awareness.
Faustin Onana Ebodé, who survived a stroke, shared his harrowing experience: “I came dangerously close to death. One evening, I arrived home as usual around 10 PM, only to feel an overwhelming pressure in my chest. Within moments, I lost my ability to speak, and my left side went numb. My wife, a nurse, rushed me to the hospital, saving my life. I later discovered I had been living with undiagnosed hypertension.”
Health authorities and cardiology experts emphasize the urgency of early detection and lifestyle adjustments. Regular blood pressure checks at least twice a year are strongly advised to mitigate risks of severe complications.