The latest mortality data from South Africa shows that heart disease remains a significant cause of death annually, reflecting the burden of cardiovascular issues in the country.
These figures, presented by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) during Heart Awareness Month and World Heart Day on September 29, highlight the scale of the problem, while health experts point to the influence of daily lifestyle and dietary habits on heart health.
In 2024, 474,366 deaths were recorded in South Africa. Over 60% of these deaths were linked to chronic diseases, the highest proportion recorded since 1997. Stats SA reports that 'the total number of registered deaths in 2024 was 474,366, with chronic diseases accounting for over 60% of all registered deaths, which is the highest figure since 1997.'
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which include hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, other forms of heart disease, and ischemic heart disease, accounted for 17.8% of total deaths in 2024. Over the ten-year period from 2014 to 2024, CVDs averaged 17.9% of all deaths.
Stats SA also noted that 'the burden of CVDs shows a clear gender and age differentiation.' This difference becomes particularly evident with age. Among men, CVD mortality sharply accelerated after the age of 40, reaching its highest level in the 65–69 age group, where 5,176 deaths were recorded. For women, mortality remained lower than for men until the 65–69 age group, where 5,015 deaths were registered. However, from age 70, female mortality surpassed male mortality, peaking at 5,903 cases among women aged 80–84.
Two cardiovascular pathologies hold a prominent place in South Africa's mortality profile: hypertensive diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, which include stroke. Hypertensive diseases accounted for 5.5% of all registered deaths in 2024, and cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 5.4%. They ranked second and third, respectively, among leading causes of death, behind diabetes, which accounted for 6.1%.
Among men, hypertension ranked fourth, accounting for 4.1% of male deaths, while cerebrovascular diseases ranked second with a rate of 4.5%. Among women, hypertension ranked second with a share of 7.1%, while cerebrovascular diseases ranked third with a share of 6.4%.
Stats SA also found regional differences: hypertensive diseases were the leading cause of death in six provinces, while cerebrovascular diseases were the leading cause in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
This data comes against a backdrop of changes in lifestyle and food consumption patterns. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa estimates that approximately 225 South Africans die from heart disease every day, equating to about 82,125 deaths per year. The organization pointed to urbanization and dietary changes as factors requiring attention.
Approximately 67% of South Africa's population lives in urban areas, where diets may include more processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-kilojoule meals, while there is low consumption of whole fruits and vegetables. Dietitian and Communications Head for Danone Southern Africa, Lian Kizer, stated that healthy eating does not mean completely giving up foods or striving for perfection.
Kizer explained that 'potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure by balancing the effect of sodium (usually from salt) in the diet. Calcium is necessary for normal muscle function, including the heart muscle, and protein helps maintain satiety longer, facilitating the choice of nutritious food throughout the day.' She highlighted yogurt as one possible source of protein, calcium, and potassium, adding that researchers are studying the potential role of live cultures and gut microbiota in heart health.
Nutrition and dietetics consultant Megan Pentz-Kluits, representing B-well, pointed to cooking oil as another area where consumers can make choices. She stated: 'Finding balance in your diet should not mean giving up dishes or foods that bring joy to your life. It is about making a choice that offers the best of both worlds: taste and health can coexist, like two sides of the same coin.'
Pentz-Kluits recommended using rapeseed oil due to its relatively low saturated fat content and the presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, advocating for diets that include whole fruits, vegetables, and healthier fats. The widely discussed 80/20 approach offers a different perspective on eating habits: making nutritious foods the majority of daily choices while allowing room for occasional indulgences.
However, Stats SA data underscores why heart health requires more than just an annual check-up. Since CVDs account for nearly one in five registered deaths in 2024, Heart Awareness Month serves as a reminder that prevention is shaped by what happens between medical appointments—from what is placed on the family table to how consistently people monitor known risk factors and seek medical help.