Sociocultural and medical management of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa

Hypertension has now become very prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, in part due to the region's epidemiologic transition. Its long asymptomatic onset explains its late recognition and thus the high frequency of complications. Sociocultural conditions play an important role in the genesis of the disease in this region and in the difficulties encountered in its management. The breakdown of traditional ways of life, growing urbanization, and the switch to a western lifestyle and diet all have well-known deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. High salt consumption, sedentarity, overweight and alcohol intake all promote these developments. The insufficient availability of medical care, poverty, and poor understanding of chronic diseases complicate the medical management of hypertension. In these regions, it is now a public health challenge that requires the training of healthcare workers and the involvement of the society as a whole, including political decisions, health education for schoolchildren, and actions by social organizations and local officials and leaders. This communication must always respect traditional customs. Both curative measures and preventive actions are essential. Priority must be given to combatting excessive salt consumption, for the results of its reduction are known to be rapid and positive. Preventing or reducing overweight and obesity, sedentarity, and alcohol and tobacco consumption are effective steps against hypertension, but also atheromatous cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Drug therapy must meet the three essential criteria: it must be effective, available, and inexpensive. Hypertension is not inevitable, but reflects changes in society. It appears to be transmitted in part by modern lifestyles, which can be modified.