DOH-7 says Cardiovascular Disease is the New “Epidemic” in the new Millennium

(PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH-7) reported that cardiovascular disease is now labeled as the new “epidemic” in the new millennium as DOH-7 non-communicable section head Dr. Jeanette Pauline Cortes described it as the number one cause of death today.

In a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO7) Forum, Cortes said cardiovascular disease is a condition affecting the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease.

“This is described as a number of conditions caused by atherosclerosis of the arteries to the heart,” she added.

Cortes encouraged the public to start a healthier lifestyle even at a young age, to prevent heart-related diseases especially Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) which ranked as the highest reasons of mortality in the DOH list.

The disease is caused by plaque building up along the inner walls of the arteries of the heart which narrows the lumen of arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart, explained Cortes.

The traditional risk factors of coronary artery disease are high or low cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history, diabetes, smoking, being post-menopausal for women and being older than 45 for men.

Majority of Filipinos are prone to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease because of physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, hypertension and diabetes, Cortes said.

Based on April 2011 data, the World Health Organization recorded 57,864 deaths in the Philippines caused by the disease.

According to Cortes the disease is preventable by practicing healthy living lifestyle. The public should stay away from smoking and drinking. Smoking and too much alcohol are big factors of heart diseases.

DOH-7 healthy lifestyle program coordinator, Malyn Fernandez also shared that there are some ways to reduce the risk of having heart disease by quitting smoking, improve cholesterol levels, control high blood and diabetes, exercising regularly and doing some physical activities, eat the right food, achieve and maintain a healthy weight and manage stress.

Fernandez stressed, the people should stick to a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, as the fat may clog blood vessels, making it harder for the blood to send oxygen to vital organs.

The health department is celebrating February as “Heart Month” to promote awareness and educate Filipinos on the importance of a healthy heart through healthier lifestyle and early prevention of heart diseases.

This year’s celebration of cardiovascular health adapts the World Health Organization (WHO) theme, “Jump for your heart.” (mbcn/HFG/PIA7)