Total and premature cardiovascular mortality rates in Espírito Santo state: an analysis of trends

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in Brazil; however, CVD-associated mortality profile in Espírito Santo (ES) State remains unknown. Objective: Determining total and premature (30 to 69 years) cardiovascular mortality rates in ES and in its sub-regions from 2006 to 2016, as well as comparing these data to those recorded for Brazil and for the Southeastern region. Methods: Data were collected from the Mortality Information System; population estimates for the investigated period were extracted from the 2010 census along with projections for the other inter-census years. Mortality rates were standardized based on age, by taking into consideration the Brazilian population in 2010. Results: The Brazilian Southeastern region and ES presented sharp decline in total and premature mortality rates. However, ES mortality rates have shown higher decline than the national rate; ES rates have shown variation of approximately 20% at the beginning of the series. These rates have stabilized in 2012 and remained below the levels observed for Brazil and for the Southeastern region. Approximately 40% of death cases in ES occurred at premature age (30 to 69 years); similar rates were observed for Brazil and Southeastern region (39.7% and 41.2%, respectively). Conclusion: There was decline in CVD mortality rates in Brazil, in the Southeast region and in ES. Such a decline was higher in ES than in Brazil and in the Southeastern region. However, premature mortality rates remained high. Therefore, primary risk prevention measures should be intensified in order to achieve the goals established by 2025.