Overview

• The Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia and Sociedade Brasileira de Hipertensão now classify blood pressure at or above 120/80 mmHg as prehypertension, prioritizing lifestyle counseling before medication.
• WHO figures indicate 19.8 million cardiovascular deaths in 2022, with about 85% caused by heart attacks and strokes.
• Experts distinguish angina as chest discomfort from reduced blood flow, myocardial infarction as a complete coronary blockage, and arrhythmia as an abnormal rhythm, with a cardiologist quoting a 15–20% mortality for infarction.
• Typical warning signs include chest pain with radiation to the jaw, back or arms, while shortness of breath, dizziness and other subtle symptoms occur more often in women, older adults and people with diabetes.
• Prevention emphasizes controlling hypertension, LDL cholesterol and diabetes, adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing stress and sleep, and maintaining medical follow-up.