Heart disease and stroke continue to threaten health

Heart attack, stroke and cancer remain three of the top killers of Filipinos and pose a significant threat to millions of others, according to the Department of Health.

But unlike cancer, heart attack and stroke strike more than half of their victims by sudden death—276 die from heart attack every day while stroke claims the life of one Filipino every minute.

“Filipinos can jumpstart the day with the ‘52-100’ code, a daily habit that means ‘5’ servings of fruits and/or vegetables, ‘2’ hours maximum screen time for children, ‘1’ hour of physical activity, ‘0’ soda or sugary drinks and ‘0’ smoking and secondhand smoke,” suggested Philippine Heart Association president Dr. Joel Abanilla to participants who attended World Heart Day Fair and Medical Mission held recently at St. John Bosco Church in Makati City.

During the event that coincided with the World Heart Day, at least 800 adults and children availed of the free screenings for cardiovascular risks that included blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol tests; body mass index; electrocardiogram test and chest X-ray.

The PHA is pitching the 52-100 code advocacy alongside the World Heart Day campaign in order to prevent heart disease and sudden deaths. It is also campaigning to bring the knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique to every Filipino home, workplace and public places. It is also working on the passage of an ordinance or a law that would require the installation of automated electronic defibrillators in all establishments, government offices and public places.

“Heart attack does not warn and strikes fast! In so many cases, the first sign of heart disease is a sudden cardiac death which happens within one to 60 minutes from the onset of symptoms. Amazingly, a significant percentage of those individuals who died from a heart attack were not aware of their risk. The best defense is to get tested by a cardiologist who could better gauge your risk for heart attack or stroke,” said Dr. Adolfo B. Bellosillo, head of the Makati Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventive Cardiology Unit as well as founder and president of the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases.

Very low consumption

And Filipinos need to be tested as soon as possible. According to the 2013 National Nutrition Survey, fruit and vegetable consumption of Filipinos is very low, which presents risk to diseases and death. In fact, one out of 10 adults is chronically energy-deficient while three out of 10 are overweight and obese.

The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) are also suggesting to limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases; and to attain normal body weight through proper diet and moderate physical activity to prevent obesity and maintain good health.

Likewise, exercising regularly can reduce the risk of early death by 40 percent and of having a stroke by 27 percent.

28 percent

According to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an organization that seeks to combat tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries, 28 percent of the adult Filipinos, smoke tobacco.

This figure does not include the youth, aged 13 to 15, wherein 17.5 percent were found to smoke cigarettes while another 8 percent of Filipino youth use tobacco products other than cigarettes.

For this year, the organizers of World Heart Day intend to create a heart-healthy environments. “The places in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardiovascular disease,” said PHA secretary Dr. Raul Lapitan.

He added that the environments in which we live, work and play can have a huge effect on our ability to make the right choices for our heart health.

Abanilla said: “But because healthy food or smoke-free zones are not readily available, Filipinos frequently cannot make heart-healthy choices. However, Filipinos could make heart-healthy choices wherever they live, work and play by following these suggestions:

• At home, one could start by stocking refrigerators and cabinets with healthy food that does not include prepacked items that are often high in sugar, fat and salt.

• Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables in each meal, or swap sweet treats for mango, apple or other fruits. If possible, prepare school or work meals at home.

• More importantly, ban smoking at home. If you are a smoker, quitting smoking could be a great way to be a positive role model for the children.

• Be active by limiting TV watching at home. Organize outdoor activities such as biking, or simply playing in the park or garden.

• Ride a bike or walk to school or office. Take the stairs or go for a walk during break time.

• Recognize your cardiovascular risks by visiting a doctor who could measure blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, weight and body mass index, and offer advice on how to minimize your risk.

• To help the community, one could demand a smoking ban in the workplace and encourage the employer to provide help to colleagues who want to quit smoking.

• Make a complaint when you see smoking zones located near playgrounds, schools or close to entrances.

• Ask for healthy food at your work canteen and children’s school.