Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Rates in Nine Cities of Rio Grande do Sul from 2009 to 2019: Temporal Trends and Demographic Differences

Background : Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality statistics in Brazil and worldwide. The evaluation of the temporal and spatial distribution of mortality due to CVD is essential to support actions aimed at monitoring the implementation of health policies. Objectives: To analyze the temporal trend of mortality due to CVD from 2009 to 2019, as well as the main causes of death according to gender and age group in nine cities of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Methods: This is an ecological study based on data from the Mortality Information System. The rates were stratified according to gender, age group and cause, which were composed of ischemic heart diseases (IHD), cerebrovascular diseases and hypertensive diseases (HD). Prais-Winsten regression was used for time trend estimates. Results: Three out of the nine cities analyzed showed a significant reduction in the overall mortality rates due to CVD in the timeframe evaluated (p<0.05). When the cause of death was analyzed, there was a decreasing trend in mortality due to IHD in Caxias do Sul, Ijuí and Porto Alegre. In these cities and also in Passo Fundo and Uruguaiana, there was a decrease in mortality due to cerebrovascular diseases. The cities of Ijuí, Porto Alegre and Santa Maria recorded an increase in hypertensive disease mortality rates. In most cities, there was an increase in rates related to greater age and male sex. Conclusion: Heterogeneity was observed in the trend of mortality due to CVD throughout the historical series, which may be related to the execution of public policies and the control of cardiovascular risk factors in the evaluated territories.