Benefits granted due to cardiovascular disease in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2011-2015

Social security benefits reflect the socioeconomic impact of work incapacity by disease. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of mortality and mortality worldwide.

To evaluate benefits granted due to CVD in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, from 2011 to 2015, from the clinical and economic perspective.

Cross-sectional and descriptive study which collected and analyzed data on benefits granted for disability caused by CVD by the executive management of the National Social Security Institute in Recife, via the Unified System of Information on Benefits.

186,058 benefits were granted from 2011 to 2015, 8,968 (4.8%) corresponded to CVD, of which 6,049 (67.5%) were selected for analysis because they corresponded to the most frequent diseases. About 78% of the beneficiaries were male and 63.8% were within age range 45 to 59 years old. Stroke and heart failure (HF) accounted for the longest sick leaves (133 to 138 days) and highest benefit amounts (about BRL 3,900.00 per month).

While hypertension does not result in as long leaves and costs, it should be prevented for being a significant cause of stroke and HF, both of which account for longer sick leaves and higher social security costs. Improving the quality of life of the population seeks to reduce their impacts on the social security system, the world of work and society at large.