Children are increasingly bearing the burden of heart disease, often linked to infectious diseases, congenital conditions, and socio-economic factors, according to Dr. Evariste Ntaganda, the Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).
"The most common types include congenital heart disease (CHD) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), both of which are preventable with proper healthcare and early diagnosis," he said.
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Heart disease screening campaign
From September 23 to 29, RBC conducted a series of public awareness campaigns and mobile heart disease screening services in Ngoma District, targeting children and adults.
The campaign aimed to detect heart defects in children and identify risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in adults, all of which contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Up to 1,516 children were screened during the campaign, with 56 found to have heart defects. Seven children were diagnosed with Rheumatic heart disease, while 49 had congenital heart disease.
In addition, 1,829 adults were screened, and 11 per cent of them had raised blood pressure, 2 per cent had elevated blood glucose levels and 32 per cent were overweight or obese.
"These numbers show the urgent need for widespread screening and intervention. Identifying these conditions early is crucial for preventing more serious complications down the line,” Dr Ntaganda said.
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Congenital heart disease
According to Dr Ntaganda, congenital heart disease refers to problems with the heart&039;s structure and function that are present at birth. The heart condition encompasses several irregularities that can affect the heart's ability to work properly and is the most common type of birth defect worldwide.
"Research shows that the prevalence of CHD varies between regions and countries, with Africa recording a higher prevalence due to unfavourable socioeconomic conditions,” he said.
Dr. Ntaganda explained that in Africa, CHD is increasing due to the lack of genetic diagnostic laboratories and prenatal screening options to prevent genetic disorders.
"Medical experts estimate that up to 70 per cent of children born with congenital heart diseases may not survive beyond 18 months without proper medical care. These are the children who represent the future of our nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure they have a fighting chance," he said.
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Rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease is the result of rheumatic fever, a condition caused by untreated streptococcal throat infections, Dr Ntaganda said. If left unchecked, he said, repeated infections can lead to inflammation and permanent damage to the heart valves.
"RHD is particularly prevalent among children and adolescents in Africa, often leading to heart failure or the need for surgery later in life,” he said.
Dr. Ntaganda noted that RHD is one of the leading causes of heart disease among children and adolescents in many African countries.
"Preventing it requires early detection and treatment of streptococcal infections, which can stop the progression to rheumatic fever," he added.
Dr Ntaganda emphasised that screening for heart disease is critical in communities where these conditions are prevalent, particularly in resource-limited regions like parts of Africa. He said early detection can prevent the progression of these diseases, reduce complications, and significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
"Screening helps identify individuals at risk of developing heart conditions before symptoms appear. It plays an important role in early prevention and management, which can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases," he said, adding that for children and adolescents, particularly those aged 5 to 15 who are at higher risk of RHD, regular screening is essential.
"In areas with high rates of streptococcal throat infections and limited healthcare access, proactive screening can prevent the need for costly surgeries and reduce the risk of heart failure later in life,” he said.
Dr. Ntaganda stressed the importance of ensuring that more communities have access to echocardiography and other diagnostic tools. Echocardiography, also known as cardiac ultrasound, is the use of ultrasound to examine the heart.
"Early detection and proactive management can save lives, improve the quality of life, and reduce mortality. We must continue to raise awareness and expand these programmes, especially in resource-limited areas.”