EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MORTALITY FROM CIRCULATORY SYSTEM DISEASES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF VALENÇA, RJ, WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE MÉDIO PARAÍBA REGION: A 28-YEAR ANALYSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Circulatory system diseases have a high prevalence, constituting the leading cause of morbidity and mortality nationwide. Their epidemiology significantly impacts the Unified Health System (SUS) and the national economy, given the consequences of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and associated premature deaths. The study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of the municipality of Valença, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and its position within the Médio Paraíba health region between 1996 and 2023. Methodology: This is a descriptive, mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) ecological study. Secondary data were obtained from DATASUS and demographic censuses from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), linking sociodemographic and health variables related to cardiovascular diseases. Results: The municipality of Valença (RJ) recorded 6,187 deaths associated with CVD (a rate of 0.090), with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke being the predominant causes. Disparities were observed among the analyzed cities; the municipality with the highest GDP per capita showed the lowest statistically proportional mortality rates compared to municipalities with lower socioeconomic development. Conclusions: CVD mortality patterns are heterogeneous and interrelated with socioeconomic factors and regional epidemiological transitions. The results for Valença (RJ) clearly demonstrate the need for public, population-level interventions focused on controlling cardiovascular risk factors