PREVALÊNCIA DE INTERNAÇÕES HOSPITALARES POR INSUFICIÊNCIA CARDÍACA NO BRASIL: UM PROBLEMA DE SAÚDE PÚBLICA PREVALENCE OF HEART FAILURE IN BRAZIL: A PROBLEM OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Objectives: Identify and evaluate the rate of hospitalizations for heart failure in the Public Health System in Brazil of patients over 30 years of age between July 2014 and July 2016. Methods: Observational study with a cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach. The study evaluates the prevalence of hospitalizations of patients over 30 years of age hospitalized for heart failure from July 2014 to July 2016. It has a national coverage, taking into account the data provided by DATASUS. Results: Among hospitalizations for diseases of the circulatory system, heart failure accounted for 19% of all hospitalizations. The periods of greatest number of hospitalizations were July and August of 2014 and July and August of 2015. The age group with the highest prevalence of hospitalizations was 70-79 years old, responsible for 27% of the cases, followed by the age group of 60-69 years Responsible for 25% of all hospitalizations. Males accounted for the largest number of hospitalizations, accounting for 51% of the total. Conclusion: Heart failure demands a series of restrictions and special care by the patient. For example you should avoid intense physical exercises, it is necessary to follow a balanced diet, medicines need to be taken regularly. Thus, it is essential to raise patients' awareness of the importance of correctly following the treatment in order to reduce the number of hospitalizations.