Resumen:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death in Brazil. Despite an decreasing trends in the rates observed since 1980, the cardiovascular mortality remain with high magnitude, especially in less developed regions of country. Furthermore, the premature mortality from CVD, in 30-65 years age group, also is large in Brazil, with poverty and precarious living conditions association. To verify changes on CVD mortality pattern in Brazil from 1980 to 2012 was the aim of this ecological time series study, which unit analysis was the calendar year. Mortality data were collected from the System of Information on Mortality (SIM) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and used to calculate the crude
mortality rates of CDV, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in each year. Temporal curves were estimated for Brazil and regions in order to define the temporal trend of the risk. Simple Linear Regression models was employed and then submitted to Prais-Winsten Regression, adimitting a significance level of p<0,05. The trend of mortality rates from ill-defined causes was analised also in the same time period of study. The CVD mortality showed a decrease trend in Brazil, IHD and male predominance. The disparities across the brazilian regions maintain with a decline of rates in the Southeast and South and increase in North and Northeast, suggesting a influence of social inequalities within-regions on CVD rates. The death trend was decreased for both age groups, however the above 65 years age group had a greater reduction. Improvements in control of classic risk factors and living conditions of population are fundamental to confronting this group of diseases and the effective reduction of rates.
