Heart Disease Can Hide in Plain Sight - Don't Miss a Beat: NCTC Warns.
The National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) has officially launched the 2026 World Heart Awareness Month with a passionate call for nationwide vigilance under the theme, "Heart disease can hide in plain. sight: Don't miss a beat."
The launch brought together key health professionals, corporate partners, the media and other stakeholders to discuss what experts describe as a silent enemy infiltrating communities and affecting younger demographics.
Dr. Kow Entsua-Mensah, Director of the NCTC, emphasised that cardiovascular disease represents a major public health challenge that the health sector cannot tackle alone. He noted that hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and physical inactivity often damage the cardiovascular system long before individuals become aware of the danger. He said there is the need to form partnerships and take the message to the communities.
"The theme is both a warning and a call to action," Dr. Entsua-Mensah stated, urging Ghanaians not to miss the opportunity to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels regularly.
Delivering the campaign message for the celebration, Committee Chairman Professor Alfred Doku, revealed sobering national statistics showing that cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in Ghana, responsible for 43 to 50 percent of overall mortality. He stressed that uncontrolled hypertension is striking every age group, but more so in young people below the age of 50 years, driving a surge in heart attacks, strokes and heart failures. Prof. Doku warned that unlike traditional public health diseases, hypertension acts as a silent predator with no warning signs until its terminal stages.
Representing the Chief Executive of Korle Bu, Acting Director of Medical Affairs, Dr. Harry Akoto, noted that Korle Bu's Public Health Units have set up Wellness Centres across the departments to make routine checks accessible at minimal cost to staff.
Dr. Akoto echoed concerns about ignoring routine screenings, noting that even minor lifestyle adjustments and regular check-ups can prevent catastrophic health outcomes.
He urged staff to prioritise health checks, suggesting that they can select their birthdays as a landmark for a comprehensive personal health check. "We want you to remember your numbers; what is your blood pressure, your pulse, your cholesterol levels? Because checking them is the single most important birthday gift you can give yourself." He cautioned against young men avoiding anti-hypertensive medications due to fears of erectile dysfunction. "The thing that you are afraid of not working will not work at all if you have a stroke," he cautioned, stressing that medical treatment must become a lifelong companion rather than an enemy.
Reinforcing the private sector's commitment to public health, representatives from Awake Mineral Water, Quantum LC/WBHO, MDS Lancet Laboratory, Life Care Technology and Health Tech Ghana Ltd, expressed immense pride in partnering with the Cardio Centre for the initiative and highlighted, that true corporate success extends beyond production and value creation to making a tangible difference in the communities they serve.
The partners also reiterated that winning the war against heart disease requires a collaborative effort, multi-sectoral approach involving government policies, corporate support, and individual lifestyle modifications.
In Dr. Entsua-Mensah's closing remarks, he announced a series of extended community outreach programmes, media engagements, and a major health walk scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, to solidify the campaign's momentum.
As the nation observes World Heart Awareness Month, the core message remains clear: recognise the risks, listen to your body, and protect every heartbeat before it is too late
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