Improving Cardiac Care in Ethiopia. One Heart at a Time.
15,000
people waiting for life-saving procedures
#1
cause of death worldwide: cardiovascular disease
130M
people in Ethiopia
< 10
interventional cardiologists in Ethiopia
UPCOMING EVENTS
Leaving No Heart Behind.
Heart Attack Ethiopia was founded by two Ethiopian-American physicians with a bold mission: to end the increasing burden of premature deaths from heart attacks and strokes in Ethiopia—and ultimately across Africa. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we take a holistic approach to cardiovascular care, already making a meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve. And we’re just getting started.
Through comprehensive community outreach, we raise awareness about heart disease and its risk factors, promote healthy lifestyles, and educate communities on the early warning signs of cardiovascular illness. In parallel, we partner with local healthcare providers and institutions to strengthen medical infrastructure, expand access to critical diagnostic tools, and deliver life-saving interventions to those who need them most.
Why Ethiopia?
We get asked that a lot.
The short answer: cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Ethiopia (Solomon Ali et al.).
The longer answer is even more striking. Despite this immense burden, Ethiopia has fewer than 45 practicing cardiologists and only five cardiac surgeons serving a population of over 130 million. That’s roughly one cardiologist for every one million people—most concentrated in just a handful of medical centers. The result is long wait times, limited access, and prohibitively high costs.
Every day, lives are lost to conditions that are both preventable and treatable.
We find this unacceptable—and we’re here to change it.
Why Us?
Heart Attack Ethiopia (HAE) conducts biannual medical missions to deliver essential cardiovascular care to underserved communities across Ethiopia. Through a combination of life-saving medical and surgical interventions, hands-on professional training, and prevention-focused education, we are actively reducing cardiovascular health disparities and preventing premature death.
At the same time, we are building local capacity—empowering healthcare professionals and strengthening systems to ensure lasting impact beyond each mission.
Our ultimate goal is to establish a comprehensive, sustainable emergency cardiovascular care system—one that delivers state-of-the-art diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management across Ethiopia, and eventually, throughout Africa.
Keep Hearts Beating
5 For A Life
For just $5 a month, you help deliver critical cardiovascular care, raise awareness, support medical missions, train healthcare professionals—and save lives!
One-Time Donation
Ideal for companies and individuals looking to give the gift of life with a one-time donation.
Donate Supplies
Medical facilities can provide the essential supplies we need to perform life-saving surgeries.
Our Projects
Discover how your donations are transforming lives through our medical missions in Ethiopia.
OUR PARTNERS
