Interplay of COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases in Africa: an observational snapshot.
Clin Res Cardiol
; 109(12): 1460-1468, 2020 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-718415
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic, which started around December 2019 has, at present, resulted in over 450,000 deaths globally, and approximately 1% of these deaths have been reported in Africa. Despite the high prevalence of COVID-19 risk factors, namely hypertension, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as rheumatic heart disease, compromised immunity and obesity, low case fatality rates have been recorded in many parts of Africa so far. COVID-19 severity has previously been shown to be worse in patients with CVD and hypertension. We observed the severity of COVID-19 and mortality rates in Africa, and compared outcomes with prevalence of established risk factors (hypertension and CVD). We stratified data as per the United Nations' 5 African subregions. North African countries show a positive association between the risk factors and the mortality rates from COVID-19. However, we observed discordant patterns in the relationship between COVID-19, and either CVD or hypertension, in sub-Saharan African countries. In this paper, we also review the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and how it worsens CVD and postulate that the differences in modulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) axis which controls angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/ACE2 balance may be an important determinant of COVID-19 outcomes in Africa.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cardiovascular Diseases
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Clin Res Cardiol
Journal subject:
Cardiology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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