Hitting Every Beat—The Power of Innovation in Heart Failure Treatment

Medical experts are raising concerns about the growing cases of heart failure, a condition that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.

Despite its prevalence, many patients and caregivers remain unaware of its symptoms and treatment options.

Characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention, heart failure significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and can become life-threatening if left untreated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, an estimated 15 million people in Africa will be living with the condition, highlighting the urgent need for improved education and treatment access.

Heart disease incidences and associated deaths are on the rise as a result of the unhealthy lifestyles, mostly characterised by poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Experts argue that the increasing prevalence poses a significant risk to Kenya’s public health and demands quick action from policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general population.

Nairobi West Hospital Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Vijaysihn Patil, says that from February 10-15, 2025, Heart Failure Awareness Week seeks to shed light on the condition, bringing communities together to promote education, support, and innovation in treatment.

“With more and more people living with this condition, clinician education is vital to ensuring the best outcomes for our patients,” said Patil. “The increasing number of heart failure diagnoses underscores the need for an entire cardiology care team to stay on the cutting edge of management strategies.”

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the hospital operates a specialized heart failure awareness and cardiac consultation clinic.

This facility provides patients with the latest educational resources and insights into modern clinical care, offering much-needed support for those managing heart disease.

The Nairobi West Hospital has long been at the forefront of cardiac medicine in East Africa. Over the last decade, the hospital has been pioneering innovative heart failure treatment strategies that have dramatically improved patient outcomes.

Through these groundbreaking treatments, the hospital has helped give hope and extended lives for those living with heart failure and other severe heart conditions.

The doctor says that a major step in addressing heart failure is enhancing clinical education and expanding treatment options.

“Traditionally, patients with aortic valve issues would undergo open-heart surgery to replace the damaged valve with an artificial one. However, this type of surgery carries significant risks, especially for older patients or those with other underlying health problems.” Patil Notes

However, changes in surgery technology are proving to be a game changer, offering safer and less invasive options for patients.

“One of the hospital’s most significant recent advancements is the introduction of a new, non-surgical heart procedure, like Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) that helps the heart beat in a more coordinated way and an implantable defibrillator (AICD), a device that helps prevent sudden heart failure.”

Others are Mitra clip for mitral regurgitation and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for heart failure related to valve issues, renal artery denervation for heart failure due to severe hypertension.

This procedure, which is proving to be a game-changer, is especially beneficial for patients with critical underlying conditions.

TAVI is a minimally invasive method used to replace a narrowed or damaged aortic valve—an issue that can lead to severe heart failure if untreated. Dr. Patil explains, “The procedure is designed to reduce exposure to risk, particularly for patients who are elderly or have multiple comorbidities.”

According to recent statistics from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for up to a quarter of all mortality cases.

CVDs involve structural heart disease such as rheumatic heart disease, vascular disease such as heart attacks, hypertension, and its consequences too.

Estimates show that 25 percent of hospital admissions and 13 percent of deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, an alarming increase in the past decade.

This is not confined just to urban centers but is also increasing in frequency in the rural communities where access to healthcare services may be limited.