Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is scarce in low- and middle-income countries like Cameroon, despite its proven benefits. Understanding cardiologists’ and residents’ perspectives is vital for developing effective CR programs in such settings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeted cardiologists and cardiology residents across Cameroon using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected on demographics, CR training, awareness of CR centers, referral practices, knowledge of CR benefits, and implementation barriers. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages). Results: Of 83 participants (59 cardiologists, 24 residents; 46.9% of 177), most practiced in Yaoundé (47.0%) or Douala (38.6%), primarily in public hospitals (55.4%). All endorsed CR’s benefits, including improved functional capacity (100%), reduced mortality (95.2%), and fewer rehospitalizations (98.8%). However, only 15.7% had formal CR training, and 75.9% knew of one or no CR centers. Referral willingness was high (97.6% for heart failure, 95.2% for post-cardiac surgery/acute coronary syndrome), but actual referrals were low (44.6%) due to unavailable centers (86.7%), patient financial constraints (81.9%), and perceived lack of interest (73.5%). Respondents strongly agreed (median 10/10) on the need for more CR studies (59%) and centers (62.7%). Conclusion: Cameroonian cardiologists and residents strongly support CR but face significant barriers, including limited training and CR facilities. Targeted training, infrastructure development, and patient education are critical to bridge the gap between enthusiasm and implementation, improving cardiovascular outcomes in Cameroon.
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