Govt urges national effort to combat heart disease crisis

n the face of alarming increases in cardiovascular disease across Barbados, the government said Friday it has stepped up its fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

 

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Davidson Ishmael described the current situation as a “serious battle” and “war” that requires the participation of all Barbadians, from civil society to corporate stakeholders and government officials.

 

Speaking during the fifth annual World Heart Day luncheon at Sandals Royal Barbados, the minister laid bare the gravity of the public health crisis the island is facing. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death, driven by a range of lifestyle choices and demographic shifts.

 

Addressing the room, Ishmael did not mince words.

 

“For me, this is a serious battle. It is a serious war that we are waging, and therefore it requires all hands to be on deck—not only at the level of civil society, not only at the level of corporate markets, but of course, and I think most importantly, at the level of government,” he declared, underscoring the depth of the issue.

 

He further shared that since assuming responsibility for this portion of the health portfolio in January, he had taken the challenge head-on, recognising it as a “worthy cause” that demands the full energy of all involved.

 

The statistics Ishmael presented revealed the number of heart attacks in Barbados has skyrocketed in recent years.

 

“Right here in our beautiful Barbados, the situation is particularly concerning. Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death, with ischaemic conditions such as myocardial infarction being the most prevalent. Sadly, our cardiovascular disease rates exceed those in the rest of the Americas,” he shared.

 

Ishmael further explained that, in 2011, there were 294 reported cases of heart attacks on the island. By 2020, that number had surged to 547. This near doubling of cases within less than a decade has set off alarm bells, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.

 

“Even more troubling is a shift we are now observing in heart attack diagnoses relative to our younger men,” Ishmael noted, pointing out that the increasing prevalence of heart disease among the island’s youth is particularly worrying. The rise in heart attack cases, he said, is driven by both lifestyle-related risk factors and broader demographic changes. With this in mind, the minister made it clear that tackling heart disease must become a national priority.

 

A key part of the solution, Ishmael argued, lies in the early detection of health issues. He urged Barbadians to take their health seriously, starting with an annual physical exam. The minister stressed that catching potential problems early gives individuals the best chance to manage or even prevent serious conditions from developing.

 

While encouraging healthier lifestyles is crucial, Ishmael also emphasised the importance of public education in combating heart disease. Despite many Barbadians believing they are familiar with the symptoms of a heart attack, a study from the Barbados National Registry revealed that 60 per cent of respondents were unable to accurately identify the symptoms, such as nausea or sudden vision disturbances. Moreover, delays in seeking medical attention are exacerbating the problem. According to the study, patients experiencing heart attack symptoms waited an average of 155 minutes before calling an ambulance.

 

“These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance awareness, education, and care related to heart attacks,” Ishmael said.

 

In addition to the knowledge gap, the minister also pointed out the lack of basic life-saving skills among the population. He encouraged Barbadians to seek out CPR and other life-saving training programmes, which can be found at various institutions across the island.