Mechanisms, target organ damage and innovative screening approaches in hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa    

The prevalence of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa continues to escalate at an alarming rate. It is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. Hypertension and its associated organ damage have not been extensively studied in African people. Most of our understanding of the causes, features and treatment in this population are derived from studies elsewhere, notably based on African-American participants. 

I will describe the burden of hypertension, associated risk factors, comorbidities and demographic and socio-economic correlates. I will then carry out detailed tests to explore clustering and the mechanism of hypertension in African people. I will also evaluate the validity of using electrocardiograms aided by novel artificial intelligence methods to screen for left ventricular dysfunction. 

This proposed fellowship will increase understanding on key aspects related to the burden, mechanisms and complications of hypertension as well as validating a cheap, accessible tool for screening left ventricular dysfunction.