São Paulo reports lowest average age for heart attacks in study

A study conducted by the cardiology department of Rede D’Or reveals that São Paulo has the lowest average age for patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among five Brazilian states analyzed. The average age in São Paulo was 58, compared to 62 in Rio de Janeiro, 67.5 in Minas Gerais, 69 in Bahia, and 70 in Pernambuco.

The analysis, presented at the Rede D’Or 2026 International Cardiology Congress, evaluated 4,921 patients across 59 units between January 2025 and March 2026. While Rio de Janeiro recorded the highest number of confirmed cases (764), São Paulo followed with 572. In Brasília, the average age for patients was 67.

Medical specialists suggest that the younger age of patients in São Paulo may be linked to risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, potentially exacerbated by chronic stress and higher pollution levels. Experts noted that chronic stress can trigger neuro-hormonal and inflammatory changes that accelerate atherosclerosis.