Brazil's SUS records historic surge in cardiovascular surgeries

The Unified Health System (SUS) performed 326,569 cardiovascular surgeries in 2025, an 81.1% rise from 2022 and 146,276 more procedures nationwide. The increase was recorded in every region, with the North’s Pará adding 5,500 surgeries, the Northeast’s Bahia and Paraíba contributing over 29,000, the Southeast’s São Paulo reporting 27,915 extra procedures, and the South’s Paraná adding 16,388. In the Center‑West, Goiás more than doubled its output while the Federal District nearly tripled it.

The growth aligns with the "Agora Tem Especialistas" program, a Ministry of Health initiative to expand specialist access and cut waiting lists for high‑complexity care. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said the expanded capacity helps patients receive timely, quality treatment and reduces the risk of severe complications and death from heart and circulatory diseases.