Recent Trends in Cardiovascular Mortality in Rio de Janeiro State Health Regions and Capital

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates, after declining for decades, are now stabilizing in several countries, including Brazil.
• This stabilization trend requires further analysis across different genders, age groups, and regions within Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro state.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze mortality trends for CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) by gender.
• To examine these trends in both the capital city of Rio de Janeiro and its health regions.
• To cover the period from 1996 to 2016.

Main Methods:

• Utilized death and population data from DATASUS/MS.
• Rates were adjusted for ill-defined codes and standardized for gender and age using the 2000 census population of Rio de Janeiro state.
• Employed Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software to analyze mortality trends.

Main Results:

• Ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality stabilized or increased in at least 50% of analyzed regions (EAPC≥0).
• Cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) mortality continued to decrease in most regions (APC<0), with only one region showing stability.
• No significant change in IHD mortality was observed in the
• North
• and
• Northwest
• regions.

Conclusions:

• The observed trends in Rio de Janeiro may reflect broader patterns across Brazil, necessitating a robust public health response.
• Addressing lifestyle behaviors is crucial to combat the unfavorable trends in cardiovascular disease.
• Primary care physicians should be vigilant about increasing coronary heart disease risks in younger adults and prioritize cardiovascular disease risk factor screening, particularly in women.