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Apart from your Valentine, show some extra love for your heart and keep it in healthy shape this month, reminded the Healthy Philippines Alliance, a network of NCD prevention and control organizations.
The HPA emphasized that cardiovascular disease or CVD remains to be the leading cause of death in the country and in the world. Risk factors are diverse which include a poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol usage. At higher risk are persons with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
“There is no cure for heart disease. You can only treat the factors that contributed to it. That’s why some patients struggle with adjusting to a new normal lifestyle after their diagnosis. So as early as now, change your unhealthy habits and don’t wait for a heart scare before putting your heart health first,” explained Karen Villanueva, President of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations.
Villanueva added, “Prevention is always better than cure and it is our responsibility to help manage our heart condition in partnership with our health provider.”
The HPA encouraged further to destroy years of unhealthy eating and commit to more wholesome nutrition by knowing which foods to eat more or limit to prevent CVDs.
“Diet matters when it comes to heart health. It is best to choose home-cooked meals versus fast food or junk food which is high in unhealthy fat. Incorporate more fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can help combat plaque build up that can clog the arteries,” said Maria Fatima Villena, Technical Adviser of HPA.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows, ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease, caused by narrowed arteries, was the top cause of death in the country in January to September 2022 claiming the lives of more than 77,000 or 18.5% of total deaths. The disease was also number one in 2021.
Meanwhile, CVD is the leading cause of death globally killing over 18 million people each year or 33% of total deaths in the world, according to the NCD Alliance.
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Patricia Loren M. Reyes
Communications Officer
Healthy Philippines Alliance
