Assessing your risk for heart attack and stroke

Heart disease, particularly atherosclerosis (the build-up of cholesterol plaque in arteries), is one of the biggest hidden health threats facing Kenyans today. Dubbed the “silent killer,” it can lead to heart attacks and strokes—two of the world’s leading causes of death and disability.

Atherosclerosis develops when fatty deposits build up inside blood vessels responsible for sending blood to organs (arteries). These deposits clog the vessels and reduce blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain. When this happens, the consequences can be deadly.

A heart attack—or myocardial infarction—occurs when blood can’t reach part of the heart, leading to damage or death of the heart muscle. A stroke is just as serious: when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, brain cells start to die, often resulting in speech problems, paralysis, or even death.

Two major drivers of atherosclerosis are high blood pressure and diabetes—both of which are common in Kenya. Unfortunately, many people don’t know they have these conditions, or they don’t treat them properly, with heart attacks and strokes claiming lives due to late detection and prev
entable risk factors.

Know your risk, protect your life

Doctors are urging Kenyans to take their heart health seriously by understanding their personal risk. Several tools are available to help you estimate your chances of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. 

They include the WHO/ISH charts for Africa, the globally used Framingham Risk Score, and newer options like Globorisk, which offers Kenya-specific charts. For those with access to smartphones or the internet, the ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus—which includes race-specific data—may offer further guidance. QRisk3 has been used among people of South Asian descent and may be relevant for some Kenyans. Though not perfect for every Kenyan, these tools can help guide preventive decisions.

These calculators use factors like age, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and smoking status to predict your likelihood of developing major health problems, such as heart disease or stroke, within the next 10 years

A low risk (under five per cent) means healthy lifestyle changes like eating well, exercising, and quitting smoking.

A moderate to high risk might require medication or more intensive monitoring.

Prevention is key—especially in rural areas

In many rural parts of Kenya, access to specialists is limited. That’s why prevention and self-care are so important.

Doctors recommend regularly checking your blood pressure at home and getting your blood sugar and cholesterol tested at local clinics or labs. These simple actions can help catch problems before they become life-threatening.

When prevention isn’t enough

In some cases, medication and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, and invasive procedures are necessary to save lives. These include:

Angioplasty – using balloons and stents to open up blocked arteries.

Bypass surgery – creating new pathways for blood to reach the heart when arteries are badly clogged.

These treatments can greatly reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes but are only available in large hospitals with specialised equipment and doctors.

You hold the key

Ultimately, the most powerful weapon against heart disease is you. By learning your risk, staying active, eating healthy, and seeking medical advice when needed, you can reduce your chances of serious illness.

Don’t wait for chest pain or weakness to strike. The best time to take care of your heart is now.