The Epidemiology of Heart Disease in Brazil Between 2021 and 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Brazil. CVDs are multifactorial pathologies, defined by the combination of genetic, environmental and behavioral factors, and are characterized as one of the main causes of death in Brazil and worldwide. Objectives: To discuss through a literature review the causes and consequences of the main heart diseases and to present the epidemiological results in Brazil of data collected through the DATASUS System between the years 2021 and 2022. The data observed shows the frequency of the six main causes of death from CVD in the Brazilian population. Results: Between 2021 and 2022, IHD and CVD were responsible, respectively, for 32% / 23% of deaths from CVD in the general population in 2021 and 37% / 14% in 2022, being pointed out as the main causes, with the highest prevalence among the male public and the age group between 60 and 79 years, when analyzed by regions and federative units of Brazil, the highest rates were found in the Southeast region, followed by the Northeast region. When analyzing deaths in terms of place of occurrence, it was observed that the majority occurred in the hospital environment, followed by the home environment. Final considerations: CVD is still the leading cause of death in Brazil. Thus, primary prevention of CVD should be a priority, intensifying control of the main risk factors for CVD, which would also affect incidence and improve early diagnosis.