Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality
worldwide and an important cause of disability. In Africa,
the burden of CVD is increasing rapidly and it is now a
public health concern. Epidemiological data on diseases is
scarce and fragmented on the continent.
Aim: To review available data on the epidemiology and
pattern of heart disease in Sudan.
Methods: Data were obtained from the Sudan Household
Survey (SHHS) 2006, annual health statistical reports of the
Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, the STEPS survey of
chronic disease risk factors in Sudan/Khartoum, and journal
publications.
Results: The SHHS reported a prevalence of 2.5% for heart
disease. Hypertensive heart disease (HHD), rheumatic heart
disease (RHD), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cardiomyopathy
constitute more than 80% of CVD in Sudan.
Hypertension (HTN) had a prevalence of 20.1 and 20.4%
in the SHHS and STEPS survey, respectively. There were
poor control rates and a high prevalence of target-organ
damage in the local studies. RHD prevalence data were
available only for Khartoum state and the incidence has
dropped from 3/1 000 people in the 1980s to 0.3% in 2003.
There were no data on any other states. The coronary event
rates in 1989 were 112/100 000 people, with a total mortality
of 36/100 000. Prevalence rates of low physical activity,
obesity, HTN, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes and smoking
were 86.8, 53.9, 23.6, 19.8, 19.2 and 12%, respectively, in the
STEPS survey. Peripartum cardiomyopathy occurs at a rate
of 1.5% of all deliveries. Congenital heart disease is prevalent
in 0.2% of children.
Conclusion: Heart diseases are an important cause of morbidity
and mortality in Sudan. The tetrad of hypertension,
RHD, IHD and cardiomyopathy constitute the bulk of CVD.
Hypertension is prevalent, with poor control rates. A decline
in rheumatic heart disease was seen in the capital state and
no data were available on other parts of the country. No
recent data on IHD were available. Peripartum cardiomyopathy
and congenital heart disease occur at similar rates to
those in other African countries.