ACCORDING to the Philippine Heart Association, approximately every 33 seconds, a Filipino suffers from some type of coronary event and almost every minute, someone dies from it. Cardiovascular diseases are among the principal causes of premature deaths. Heredity, although not a controllable risk factor plays a role in heart disease risk. It is a fact that children of parents who have heart disease of some kind have a predisposition to develop a similar disease later in life. Because individuals with a family history of heart disease are at a greater risk, it is important to focus on controllable risk factors such as not smoking, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels within normal range, becoming physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight.
The Philippine Heart Association has been at the forefront of activities that support the combating of cardiovascular diseases. This has allowed it to extend services and resources to promote a healthy lifestyle as the best way of preventing cardiovascular diseases.
As a reminder to the public to help keep the risk of their acquiring heart disease low, the Philippine Heart Association observes a yearly summit which is set for May 25-28 this year. This year’s theme "Confluence of Competencies for Progress in Cardiovascular Medicine" will focus on how the Philippine Heart Association and other stakeholders can provide services and opportunities to promote cardiovascular health, endorse the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and to get involved in early intervention activities.
In over half a century, the Philippine Heart Association has made it its explicit task to make known to the public how important it is to keep a healthy heart. As in years past, the PHA again renews its commitment to maintaining cardiovascular excellence and health. The message of such an assurance is clear: The heart provides the power needed for life, we must not wait until it’s too late. By keeping healthy and fit, and by taking simple steps to improve the health of our hearts through exercise and healthy eating, we can live better and more active lives.
