Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly known as stroke or ischemic stroke, is a leading cause of death, disability and hospitalization worldwide. It is a disease caused by the death of brain cells due to the interruption of blood flow within a blood vessel (stroke) or the rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a sudden decrease or interruption of blood flow to the heart, often caused by the buildup of fatty plaques within the coronary arteries or by the formation of clots.

Both diseases affect hundreds of thousands of Brazilians, and occur mostly in people with a family history of diabetes, people with hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart disease, obesity, smokers, alcoholics, and sedentary people. Based on research developed by the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, with data from the Transparency Portal of the Civil Registry Office, it is possible to verify that the number of deaths due to stroke exceeded the number of deaths due to AMI, in the period from 2019 to June 2024.

© kate_sept2004 via Getty Images Signature via Canva.com

The study revealed a significant annual increase, focusing on 2020, with 105,894 deaths due to stroke, while 97,779 deaths due to heart attacks, a higher percentage than in other periods. A worrying fact was observed in 2024: the difference between deaths due to heart attack and stroke, with data collected until June, was 8.78%, making heart attack a less common cause of death compared to stroke. According to the president of the association, Dr. Armando Lobato, the data reflect a worrying reality. “Through this assessment, we were able to identify that one of the main points of increase in deaths due to stroke is due to the large number of previously uncontrolled diseases, the difficulty of access to health services, and the lack of public policies to prevent this disease,” says the vascular surgeon.

“Preventing stroke is easier than it seems. The main steps are to take care of your blood pressure, maintain a healthy diet, control diabetes, exercise regularly, stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption, treat heart disease, control cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight,” Lobato adds. “Identifying symptoms early can also help with early diagnosis and treatment, saving lives and reducing consequences.”

A study by the World Stroke Organization, in October 2023, provided projections that support the SBACV research. The research predicts that the number of deaths from stroke worldwide could increase by 50% and reach nearly 10 million people by 2050. “It is essential to invest in effective public policies and in education and awareness campaigns about the risk factors for our health and the risks of stroke,” highlights Dr. Armando.

The Brazilian Society of Vascular Diseases and Vascular Surgery is committed to promoting vascular health and reducing the incidence of stroke in Brazil, and continues to support and develop research that contributes to improving public health in the country.