Stroke in Brazil: epidemiological aspects of mortality from 2019 to 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when blood flow to an area of ​​the brain is interrupted, resulting in damage to brain cells. In Brazil, the mortality rate from ischemic stroke (ISC) increases considerably with age. Less than 1% of deaths occur among individuals aged 5 to 44, while most fatalities are concentrated in people over 50 years old, especially over 80 years old. Objective: to characterize the epidemiological profile of stroke mortality in Brazil, during the period from 2019 to 2023. Methodology: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study, through the collection of epidemiological data, obtained from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), in the subsections of the Mortality Information System (SIM). Data on the distribution of age group, sex, race/color, and geographic region were collected using DATASUS data referring to ICD10-I64. Results: From 2019 to 2023, 174,626 thousand deaths from stroke were recorded in Brazil. The results showed a higher prevalence of deaths among men (51.3%), white individuals (44.56%), elderly individuals aged 80 years or older (42.52%), and residents of the Southeast region (39.83%). Conclusion: Mapping the epidemiological characteristics of stroke is essential for the creation and adoption of new strategies aimed at reducing the mortality rate from the disease in Brazil.