Cardiac Rehabilitation: China

Abstract

The concept of cardiac rehabilitation is comparatively new in mainland China and has received scant attention until recently. Indeed, in most parts of the country it is underdeveloped. This is not surprising when one considers the enormity of the country (9 million km²) and its population (1.3 billion), and the fact that heart disease has only recently, although rapidly, become a major cause of death and disability. This is partly a reflection of the rapid increases in urbanization, population mobility and aging, environment deterioration and economic growth and, as a consequence, growing income disparities and rising unemployment. The population of China with coronary heart disease is now estimated to be at least 20 million and there are major challenges, such as hypertension and tobacco smoking. For instance, at least 350 million people smoke, of which 50 million are teenagers. Thus, there is a growing recognition that cardiac rehabilitation services should be established and developed.