A survey by the National Cardiology Institute (INC) shows that between 2008 and 2022 the number of hospitalizations for heart attacks increased in Brazil. Among men, the monthly average increased from 5,282 to 13,645, an increase of 158%. Among women, the average increased from 1,930 to 4,973, an increase of 157%.

The study takes into account data from the Datasus hospital admission system, of the Ministry of Health, and therefore covers all Brazilian patients who use the services of the Unified Health System (SUS), whether in public hospitals or in approved private hospitals. . This represents 70-75% of all patients in the country.

Certain factors increase the risk of heart attack, reports the National Heart Institute. “Myocardial infarction occurs in elderly populations. And we also know the increase in the prevalence of obesity in the Brazilian population,” explains INC Director General Aurora Issa.

According to Aurora, the cold also increases the risk of heart attacks. INC data indicates that cases are more common in winter. Last year, the number of heart attacks during this season was 27.8% higher among women and 27.4% higher among men compared to summer.

“The cold causes the vessels to contract [sanguíneos]», says the expert. “The person who has a heart attack, most of the time, already has fatty plaque in the arteries. What leads to a heart attack is the inflammation of the plaque and the formation of a thrombus on top of that plaque. Infections are often a trigger for inflammation.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among men and women in Brazil. Between 2017 and 2021, 7,368,654 people died for this reason in the country. According to the INC, the main forms of prevention are physical exercise and a balanced diet.