International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 18/nov/2024;37:e20240155.

Epidemiological Profile and Comparison of Mortality Due to Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation in Brazil Over the Past 26 Years

Leticia Da Costa Santana Silva , Luana Yasmim Fernández Avelaneda Castanheira , Maria Dalila Santos Salim , Ohara Rumayane Paiva Santos Rebouças , Ruy Felipe Melo Viegas

DOI: 10.36660/ijcs.20240155

Abstract

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) stands out as the most prevalent arrhythmia, and its incidence increases with age. Stroke ranks as the second leading cause of mortality in Brazil and represents the primary contributor to global disability.

Objective:

Considering the severity of these conditions, this study seeks to elucidate the epidemiological landscape of AF and stroke-related deaths in Brazil from 1996 to 2022.

Methods:

The following variable were analyzed in the study – geographic region, federative state, age demographics, gender distribution, year of mortality, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and place of death. This research adopted a descriptive approach through a retrospective, exploratory, epidemiological analysis of data sourced from the Mortality Information System (SIM) accessible through the Department of Health Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) website.

Results:

Over the 26-year period, 1,201,327 deaths from AF and stroke were registered in Brazil. These deaths were mostly caused by stroke (94.5%) and were more concentrated in the southeast region, where the highest number of doctors capable of identifying and notifying these deaths are also concentrated.

Conclusion:

This study claims for a paradigm shift in disease control strategies and underscores the imperative of bolstering the efficacy of public health policies to address the huge impact of stroke and AF-related mortality on population health.