The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) reminded the public this month to demonstrate more love to their hearts through maintaining good health and by doing away with bad eating habits.
The HPA, a network of organizations on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), noted that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and in the Philippines.
“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,” Karen Villanueva, President of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, said.
“So as early as now, change your unhealthy habits and don’t wait for a heart scare before putting your heart health first,” she added, while stressing that “prevention is always better than cure.”
The HPA said risk factors for CVD 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,” it noted.
The HPA also urged the public to commit to better nutrition, saying that “diet matters” for heart health.
“It is best to choose home-cooked meals versus fast foof or junk food which is high in unhealthy fat,” Maria Fatima Villena, Technical Adviser of HPA, said.
Villena advised adding more fiber to a person’s diet from fruits, vegetables and whole grains that can help prevent arteries from clogging.
Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, the HPA said ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease due to narrowed arteries “was the top cause of death in the country in January to September 2022.”
The disease has already claimed over 77,000 lives or 18.5% of total deaths. The disease was also number one in 2021, it added.
The NCD Alliance reported that CVD has killed over 18 million people worldwide, which accounts for 33% of all deaths. -Katrina Gracia Consebido-ag
