Putting Africa at the Heart of Global Cardiovascular Research

We are pleased to announce that researchers from the Cape Heart Institute (CHI) are shining a spotlight on Africa’s growing role in global cardiovascular research with their article, “Heart failure in Africa: putting Africa on the map,” published in the European Heart Journal – CardioPulse. Authored by Dr Shaazia Allie, Dr Julia Hahnle, and Professor Karen Sliwa, the article spotlights the ongoing challenges and groundbreaking initiatives reshaping heart failure care across the continent. 

Drawing inspiration from the global “Correct the Map” campaign—which calls for a more accurate visual representation of Africa on world maps—the authors emphasize that the same principle applies to medical research: Africa must be represented accurately and equitably in global health data. The piece highlights the THESUS-HF II study—a major multicentre project led by CHI and the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR). This study collects vital data on the causes, management, and outcomes of acute heart failure (AHF) across the continent. 

The early findings, presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology and World Heart Federation Congress, mark a crucial step in redefining heart failure care for African populations. Beyond research, the initiative includes training and advocacy programmes to strengthen local healthcare capacity. By driving collaborative, Africa-led research, CHI is helping ensure that Africa’s unique heart health challenges and successes are accurately represented on the global map. Read more on this link