Cardiovascular diseases. Comments on early mortality in Brazil

PURPOSE: To compare age specific mortality rates from acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular diseases in Brazilian cities with equivalent death rates in other countries. METHODS: Data on Brazilian deaths were obtained from the Health Ministry's Mortality Information System. Data for other countries were obtained from a World Health Organization specialized publication. RESULTS: Nearly 50% of ischemic heart disease deaths among males occurred in men under 65. The equivalent proportion in other countries was 25%. The acute myocardial infarction death rate among men aged 35-44 was 3 times greater than in North America. The Brazilian cardiovascular disease death rates were also higher then in other countries. CONCLUSION: Contrary to what is usually believed, it is not only among old people that cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of death. This suggests that there is a need for specifically designed investigations that take account of the peculiarities of the Brazilian situation, as well as for urgent implementation of targetted risk factor control programs.