Traditional Dietary Therapy for Prevention and Management of Hypertension and Stroke in Africa. What Next?

Abstract

Hypertension and Stroke are non-communicable diseases that have affected millions of people globally. In Africa, the prevalence of these diseases has increased tremendously. Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of death and in SubSaharan Africa its mortality rate has increased. Poor management and poor access to health care of stroke patients is also a reason for the high mortality rate. About 70% and 40% fatal rate a case in Mozambique and Ghana has been attributed to poor management of stroke. The prevalence of stroke in Sub- Saharan Africa has been estimated to be 14 per 1000 population and a monthly fatality rate of about 40%. Hypertension is one of the comorbidities of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and heart failure