Cardiovascular diseases in the pre-pandemic period and during the pandemic in Vitória.

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594792421083

• Palavras-chave: Cardiovascular Diseases. Mortality. Hospitalization. Pandemic. Epidemiology.

• Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases. Mortality. Hospitalization. Pandemic. Epidemiology.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CD) comprise a group of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused an increase in complications arising from these diseases globally. Objective: To describe the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the pre-pandemic period and during the pandemic in the metropolitan macro-region of the state of Espírito Santo. Method: A descriptive epidemiological statistical study was carried out based on hospitalization and mortality rates due to CD in the metropolitan macro-region of the state of Espírito Santo, between 2018 and 2021. The data were collected from the platform of the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) and organized into graphs. Results: The study provided a description of hospitalizations and deaths due to CD each year between 2018 and 2021. The graphs revealed an increase in the mortality rate in 2020 and a drop in the data analyzed during the pandemic period. Discussion: The increase in deaths, which represented 7.32% in 2020, establishes an intrinsic relationship with the pandemic scenario. In 2020-2021, there was a 1.09% drop in deaths from CD, due to the peak in this rate in 2019-2020 for more severe conditions, stabilizing deaths among less severe cases. The observed data reveal the intervention of the analyzed pandemic context, such as the likely decrease in medical monitoring of patients and underreporting of cardiovascular diseases and, therefore, require constant updates. Conclusion: This study highlighted the high rates of CD. Its results attest to the influence of the pandemic on the prevalence and care of CD in Vitória. The limited variables addressed reveal the need for additional studies on the subject.