Heart Disease is a Growing Threat to Mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Integrating heart care into maternal health services could help prevent maternal deaths across sub-Saharan Africa. A new article by the Global Heartcare Foundation team, “Cardiovascular Disease in Pregnancy and Maternal Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case for Cardio-Obstetric Programs,” makes the case for this approach.

Beyond publication, this important work was also presented at the 2026 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Munich, Germany, bringing attention to the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and the need to integrate cardiac care into maternal health services. View the presentation here

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly 70% of maternal deaths worldwide, despite global gains in maternal health. As deaths from traditional obstetric causes decline, cardiovascular disease is emerging as an increasingly important contributor to maternal illness and death in the region.

The article examines the growing burden of heart disease during pregnancy, from rheumatic and congenital heart disease to peripartum cardiomyopathy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It also outlines how cardio-obstetric programs can improve outcomes through coordinated, multidisciplinary care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Drawing on experience from clinics in Ethiopia and Tanzania, we propose a scalable framework built on five pillars: early diagnosis, team-based care, referral networks, telemedicine, and research capacity building. Integrating cardiovascular care into existing maternal health services offers a practical path to reducing preventable maternal deaths and advancing health equity across sub-Saharan Africa.

This publication reflects the Global Heartcare Foundation’s continued efforts to improve cardiac care in low-income countries, where access to specialized heart services remains limited.

Read the full article: Link here