Over 70% of Ghanaians walking with hypertension unaware – Cardiothoracic Centre head

The Head of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Professor Alfred Doku, has raised concerns over the growing threat of hypertension in Ghana, describing the condition as a major but often undetected driver of cardiovascular diseases.

According to Prof. Doku, more than 70% of Ghanaians living with high blood pressure are unaware that they have the condition, leaving many at risk of serious complications.

He made the disclosure in Accra during the press launch of the 2026 World Heart Day, where he stressed the need for increased awareness and regular blood pressure checks.

Prof. Doku attributed the rising incidence of hypertension partly to changing lifestyles and warned that the condition could remain undetected for years because it often presents no obvious symptoms.

“We are getting a lot more people with hypertension. Indeed, the number one driver of cardiovascular diseases is hypertension. Most people are not aware that they are hypertensive.

“Over 70 percent of Ghanaians with hypertension are not aware of their condition. Those who are aware, only a few of them are on medication, and those on medication, only a few of them have their blood pressure controlled, so this is what is driving the heart diseases.

“This is what is driving the stroke, and this is what is driving the kidney failure in Ghana. That is why the number of people dying from these diseases is increasing because the risk factor is silent.

“You don’t feel anything when you have hypertension. So people can go about their daily activities without knowing that they have very high blood pressure,” he stated.