Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2025; 122(6): e20250284

Hospitalizations and In-Hospital Mortality from Heart Failure in Brazil: An Updated Overview

Adriana Lopes Latado

DOI: 10.36660/abc.20250284i

This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Temporal Trends of Hospital Admissions Due to Heart Failure in Brazil".

Heart failure (HF) accounts for a growing burden of disease and healthcare costs both globally and in Brazil. It represents the final common pathway of several cardiovascular diseases, including specific and well-defined conditions such as ischemic heart disease. Prevalence and incidence data have shown progressive increases over recent decades, with the current HF prevalence estimated at 2.5% among U.S. adults, and projected to reach 3.0% by 2030.^, HF-related hospital admissions are also on the rise in the United States. Meanwhile, adjusted in-hospital mortality has declined, from 6.8% in 2002 to 4.9% in 2016, consistent across age groups, sex, and racial/ethnic categories.

In Brazil, the self-reported prevalence of HF is estimated at 1.1% among adults over 18 years old and 3.3% in individuals over 60. Regarding hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality, temporal trend studies indicate a decline in the number of HF-related admissions, with hospital mortality ranging from 9% to 17%, also showing a decreasing trend, especially over the past decade.^,, However, national data remain scarce, with limitations in population representativeness and a need for regular updates.

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