A new study highlights a striking regional gap in heart attack ages across Brazil, with São Paulo recording the youngest average among five states examined. The findings were reported by Folha de S.Paulo on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and have since been echoed by other Brazilian outlets.
According to Folha de S.Paulo, the average age for a heart attack in São Paulo is the lowest when compared to the other four states in the study. Additional coverage from Veja Saúde notes that heart attacks in São Paulo occur roughly a decade earlier than in most of the country. Clube FM 100.5 reports that paulistas—residents of São Paulo state—can experience heart attacks up to 12 years earlier than people elsewhere in Brazil.
The contrast is stark in other regions. Diario de Pernambuco, citing the same study, puts the average heart attack age in Pernambuco at 70 years old. A separate breakdown from diariodopara.com.br lists the average ages for seven specific localities, though the full data for each was not included in the summary provided.
The study does not appear to offer a single explanation for the disparity, and no specific causes were cited in the available reporting. The findings suggest that regional factors—whether lifestyle, healthcare access, or other variables—may play a significant role in cardiovascular risk timing.
What to watch next: Whether public health officials in São Paulo respond with targeted prevention campaigns aimed at younger populations, and if follow-up research identifies the drivers behind the earlier onset of heart attacks in the state.
