High blood pressure, often referred to as the ‘silent killer,’ claims over 17,000 lives each year across Cameroon. This prevalent condition impacts approximately one in three adults nationwide, posing a significant public health challenge.

The incidence of hypertension is markedly higher in urban hubs such as Yaoundé and Douala when contrasted with rural and semi-urban locales. Current data indicates that nearly 39% of individuals aged between 25 and 70 years are living with this condition.

Dr. Djoumessi Romance, a rhythmologist cardiologist at the Biyem-Assi district hospital in Yaoundé, attributes the recent surge in cases to evolving lifestyle choices adopted by many citizens. “Cameroonians have increasingly embraced diets excessively rich in salt and fats,” Dr. Djoumessi observed. “We also see widespread, frequent consumption of alcohol and tobacco at elevated levels. When these factors combine with genetic predispositions and age, the prevalence curve becomes very steep.”

Thousands of patients are grappling with hypertension in Yaoundé alone. During my reporting, I met an octogenarian, Faustin Onana Ebodé, still undergoing treatment in the Nkolbikok neighborhood of the sixth arrondissement.

Mr. Onana Ebodé recounted his harrowing experience of suffering a stroke (CVA). “I narrowly escaped death,” he shared. “That day, I returned home as usual. Around 10 PM, I felt an intense pressure. Suddenly, I lost the ability to speak, and my entire left side became unresponsive. My life was saved thanks to the swift actions of my wife, who is a nurse and rushed me to the hospital. I was, in fact, suffering from hypertension without even realizing it.”

Institutions like the Ministry of Public Health and the Cameroonian Society of Cardiology consistently issue warnings, urging citizens to modify their lifestyles and undergo early screening for hypertension. Regular blood pressure checks, ideally at least twice a year, are strongly recommended to detect the condition early and prevent its various severe complications.