The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiovascular Diseases in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus pandemic is an international public health emergency due to the high contagious potential of the virus on a global scale and, similarly to what happened globally, Brazilian authorities took measures to reduce its impact on the healthcare system, including social distancing. In this context of exhaustion of the system, it is worth questioning the situation of patients who need medical care for other diseases, such as the cardiovascular ones. Objectives: Describe the changes in the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations cardiovascular diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods: Assessment of relative variations on the number of hospitalizations, associated average time, mortality rate and financial investments. Results: After the beginning of the pandemic, there was reduction of 21.46% in hospitalizations, more accentuated in females and in the Northern region, and increase of 14.14% in mortality, of greater significance in the Midwestern region. In younger ages, mortality and permanence time presented more accentuated positive variations. In elective admissions, growth in mortality and in hospital expenses were more significant. Conclusion: The pandemic impacted on cardiovascular diseases in a multifactorial way. The number of hospitalizations decreased, and the mortality rate increased, as efforts concentrated on moderate and severe cases. Therefore, there is a need for policies that minimize mid- and long-term impacts, as well as studies that investigate possible late complications of infections by the novel coronavirus.