The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi has launched Kenya's first specialist clinic for cholesterol (lipid) disorders to address growing burden of heart disease, adding to its existing portfolio of cardiac services.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, including in Kenya, where non-communicable diseases account for over 50 percent of hospital admissions and 39 percent of deaths.
Prevalence of hypertension in Kenya ranges from 16 percent to 21 percent, driven by urbanisation, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles.
The new clinic emphasises early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and preventive care to manage the risk of heart disease.
By focusing on prevention rather than reaction, the hospital aims to reduce the financial and health burden of advanced heart disease and make treatment more convenient and cost-effective for patients.
"Rather than waiting for patients to develop heart disease, we want to manage risk factors before they escalate. Ultimately, this will be more convenient and less expensive," said Rashid Khalani, CEO of AKUH.
A lipid disorders clinic specialises in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of cholesterol disorders that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Unlike general cardiology clinics, lipid clinics identify the underlying causes of lipid imbalances and create personalised treatment plans with long-term monitoring.
After diagnosis, a multidisciplinary team develops personalised treatment plans.
"Effective cholesterol management will reduce the incidence of heart attacks caused by blocked arteries, which has become common in our population. It will also help patients achieve a longer life expectancy without the need for complex medications typically prescribed for heart attack survivors," said Dr Mzee Ngunga, the clinic's senior interventional cardiologist.
Medications such as statins or newer cholesterol-lowering drugs may be prescribed based on individual risk factors.
"As the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS), we have conducted several studies on cardiovascular disease, and we appreciate the support of many hospitals in this endeavour. The data obtained from lipid disorders at this clinic and others across the country will help inform our treatment and prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease," said Dr Bernard Samia, President of KCS.
