Cardiac rehabilitation delivery in Africa

Abstract

As of 2011, the leading cause of premature mortality in Africa is non-communicable rather than communicable disease (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis). The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) specifically, is growing exponentially in Africa (Fig. 1), at a rate exceeding that globally. Mortality rates for NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa already exceed those for the global population across most age groups (Fig. 2). Given that CVD onset and mortality are often premature, this exponential rise will limit poverty-reduction initiatives and economic development.