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Karen Sliwa-Hahnle

Cardiologist and professor

By South African Index Editorial Desk · Published

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Illustrative placeholder; no verified photograph available.: Domdomegg · Source · CC0 1.0. Resized and converted to WebP for this site.

Karen Sliwa-Hahnle is a cardiologist and director of the Cape Heart Institute at the University of Cape Town. Her research has focused on heart failure, cardiomyopathy and cardiac disease in pregnancy. She received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze in 2026. [1][3][4]

Biography

Sliwa-Hahnle moved to South Africa in 1992 and worked at Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg before specialising in cardiology. UCT records that she later became a professor of cardiology and a clinical cardiologist at Groote Schuur Hospital. [2][1]

Her research programme has concentrated on heart failure and cardiomyopathies, particularly peripartum cardiomyopathy and cardiac disease in pregnancy. The Cape Heart Institute identifies her as the lead of its Cardiac Disease in Maternity and Heart of Africa research groups. [1]

Sliwa-Hahnle has held leadership roles in cardiovascular organisations, including the presidency of the South African Heart Association and the World Heart Federation. UCT states that she has also contributed to World Health Organization advisory work on rheumatic heart disease and long COVID. [1]

In 2026 she received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze. The Presidency cited her contribution to the understanding of cardiovascular disease, including cardiac disease in pregnancy, and UCT highlighted the relationship between her research and clinical guidelines addressing maternal mortality. [4][3]

Key contributions

Advanced research and clinical practice around peripartum cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. [1][3]

Held national and international leadership roles in cardiovascular medicine, including at the South African Heart Association and World Heart Federation. [1]

Career timeline

  1. Moved to South Africa and began working at Baragwanath Hospital. [2]

  2. Served as president of the South African Heart Association. [1]

  3. Served as president of the World Heart Federation. [1]

  4. Received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze. [4]

Sources

  1. University of Cape Town Cape Heart Institute, Prof Karen Sliwa-Hahnle. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  2. University of Cape Town, Karen Sliwa: cardiology from the heart of South Africa, 2014-08-11. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  3. University of Cape Town, Highest national order for Prof Karen Sliwa-Hahnle, 2026-05-22. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
  4. The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, The Presidency announces recipients of National Orders, 2026-05-14. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩