OBJECTIVE: To compare trends in mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases (CBVD) in the States of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), São Paulo (SP) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and respective capitals from 1980 to 1999. METHODS: Data regarding CVD deaths were obtained from Datasus, and those regarding populations were obtained from IBGE. Crude and sex and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated using the direct method (standard population: State of Rio de Janeiro's population twenty years of age or older in 2000). Because of the relevant increase in mortality from ill-defined causes in the city and State of RJ as of 1990, the deaths were balanced prior to adjustments. The trends were analyzed using linear regressions. RESULTS: Annual declines of balanced and adjusted mortality ranged from -11.3 CVD deaths/100,000 inhabitants in the city and State of RJ to -7.4 in the city of SP. IHD mortality rates were similar in the State and city of RJ and in Porto Alegre, and lower in the city of SP (-2.5 deaths/100,000 inhabitants). CBVD mortality rates ranged from -6.0 to -2.8 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in the State of RJ and in Porto Alegre, respectively. CONCLUSION: A decline in balanced and adjusted CVD, IHD and CBVD mortality rates was observed from 1980 to 1999 in the three States and capitals. In the State and city of RJ declines in IHD were clear as of 1990, whereas declines in CBVD occurred throughout the period studied.
trend; mortality; cardiovascular diseases
