Cardiovascular Diseases in South Africa Essay

One of the most widespread global health problems is hypertension. It is also sometimes referred to as high blood pressure and generally there is one billion of people living with this problem today. Around nine million of them die annually from this condition. In case patients with hypertension do not receive appropriate treatment, then they are at a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Traditionally cardiovascular diseases, as well as hypertension, were associated first of all with elderly people. Usually people over 40 were inclined towards these diseases. “A total of 460 236 deaths were recorded in South Africa in 2015, indicating a decline of 3,0% in deaths processed between 2015 and 2014 (474 659),Cardiovascular Diseases in South Africa Essay this is according to the Mortality and causes of death, 2015 report released by Statistics South Africa today. The three leading causes of natural deaths in 2014 were tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular diseases.” (Keates, 2017). Till the moment the leading cause of death in South Africa used to be tuberculosis, however non-communicable diseases continue to rapidly develop and rise towards their leading positions, if to compare the data from 2014 to the situation in 2015. Non-communicable diseases include diabetes mellitus, chronic lower respiratory diseases,  cerebrovascular diseases, other forms of heart disease, hypertensive diseases. “Non-communicable diseases are accountable for 62,5% in the top 10 leading causes of death among females aged 65 and above, whereas among males in the same age group these constituted 48,0%.” (Keates, 2017). One more age group, where the number of deaths from non-communicable diseases rises includes people of 45 to 64 years, both males and females.  These statistical data and findings are important for understanding of the scopes of the real problem with cardiovascular diseases in South Africa and its future perspectives. Thorough analysis of this data could be meaningful for working out the further plans for the South African Government’s National Development Plan to improve the state of the health of South African population by 2030. Cardiovascular Diseases in South Africa Essay