Estimation and determinants of direct medical costs of ischaemic heart disease, stroke and hypertensive heart disease: evidence from two major hospitals in Cameroon.

This study reveals substantial economic burden due to CVD in Cameroon. Diabetes mellitus was a consistent driver of elevated costs across the CVDs. There is urgent need to invest in cost-effective primary prevention strategies in order to reduce the incidence of CVD and consequent economic burden on a health system already laden with the impact of communicable diseases.