Protect Your Heart and Maintain Healthy Lifestyle, The Doctor Reminds

As the country celebrates ‘Love Month’, the Health Department reminds the public of its healthy lifestyle advocacy as a preventive measure against illnesses the heart.

Dr. Mylene Genuino of the Department of Medicine of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) reported that heart attack remains to be the top three cause of mortality or death in the country.

For BGHMC, it is the top five cause of hospital confinement with 50 percent survival rate. Genuino explained that heart problem can be genetically acquired or lifestyle- related which risk factors include smoking, diabetes and obesity.

She reminded people with heart concerns and those with family history of heart problems to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For those already with heart problem or at risk to have one, they are advised to manage their blood pressure as hypertension is a silent killer that triggers heart attack.

The doctor cautioned individuals to be always on alert for signs and symptoms of possible heart attack such as chest pain, high blood pressure, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort and nausea or lightheadedness.

Early detection leads to proper medication and case management, she stressed. Genuino was one of the resource persons in the DOH- led kapihan forum on February 9 promoting health advocacies for the month of February. (JDP/CCD/Wesley Hortizuela – PIA/UC Intern)