Abstract
Objective: To estimate the rates of hospitalization for diseases of the circulatory system during the year 2020, comparing with the historical trend from 2011 to 2019, for the state of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, for the male and female population aged 60 and over. Method: Cross-sectional and ecological study. Data from hospitalizations due to diseases of the circulatory system were used. The analyzes were made by standardized crude hospitalization rates, annual percentage changes and simple linear regression. Results: Important reductions in the hospitalization rates of the group under analysis were observed, which were much higher than what had been observed. The trend in hospitalization rates for diseases of the circulatory system between 2011 and 2019, especially for individuals aged 60 or over, had already been showing a downward trend and was even more intensified in the year 2020. Conclusion: The determinations of social isolation and the technical capacity of health institutions focused on the demands of the pandemic had a fundamental role in reducing hospitalizations for diseases of the circulatory system, raising questions about the impacts of these postponements for the system and individuals.