Cameroon's prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has reached an alarming rate of 30 per cent with more recorded deaths and physical impairments caused by cardiac arrests and strokes. Women, studies have revealed, are more affected, with diabetes, obesity and sedentary lifestyles identified as contributory factors.

These revelations were made in Yaounde yesterday September 26 at a press conference by the Vice President of the Cameroon Heart Foundation, François Ngoumou. The event was one of the activities organised to mark the 7th Edition of Cameroonian Heart Week which focuses this year on raising awareness among women.

According to François Ngoumou, 90 per cent of a cross section of women surveyed in Cameroon said they feared death caused by cancer. "Whereas another study revealed that one woman out of three dies of cardiovascular disease while one woman out of 17 died of cancer," he said.

Another study by the Cameroon Heart Foundation, he further explained, revealed that Eclampsia, a form of hypertension in pregnant women, had become the greatest killer of women in Maroua, the capital of the Far North Region. He found the situation alarming, justifying the interest of his organisation especially as it was also discovered that 60 per cent of Cameroonian women are obese and at risk of suffering from cardiovascular complications.

François Ngoumou advised less fatty foods, less sugar, less salt, more physical exercise, more fruits and vegetables as well as zero tolerance for tobacco. Jean Jacques Pik, a French specialist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, expressed worry that Cameroonian physicians were more preoccupied with infectious diseases than cardiovascular diseases.

The press conference was preceded by a training session for journalists from key media houses. Facilitated by Dr. Emmanuel Ghangha, an emergency physician from the Douala General Hospital, the journalists gained skills in cardiovascular reanimation.

Cameroon Heart Foundation and its partner, AES SONEL, announced the "Red Alert Day" to hold today with free screening at the Yaounde City Council. Organised walks and educative discussions will culminate in the celebration of the World Heart Day on September 29.