Philippine Heart’s Month
We all know that February is the month of hearts since most of us celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. But do you know that February is also Philippine Heart Month? It was declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 1096 signed on January 9, 1973 to promote awareness on various heart diseases as serious and growing health concerns among Filipinos.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), heart diseases are among the leading causes of death in the country. With 47.1% prevalence, the leading cause of heart disease in the country is rheumatic fever. It is an inflammatory disease that can develop into rheumatic heart disease when streptococcal throat infection or scarlet fever isn’t properly treated. This has been followed by hypertensive (17.2%), and atherosclerosis, the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls which can restrict blood flow with 15.5%.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) gives the biggest chunk of the annual fatalities for non-communicable diseases with 17.5 million deaths each year. Comparing it to cancer, the latter only makes 8.2 million of the non-communicable disease deaths each year. It is very alarming that at least three-quarters of the global fatalities for CVDs come from middle-to-lower income countries. In fact, the Filipino population is at higher risk for cardiovascular disease-related deaths than that of countries like the United States.
How can you prevent heart disease?
The Provincial Health Office of Surigao Del Sur recommends the following ways to maintain healthy hearts.
1. Get your numbers by asking your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.
2. Own your lifestyle and commit to stop smoking, exercise consistently and eat healthy.
3. Raise your voice and advocate for more cardiovascular disease research and education.
4. Educate your family and friends by making healthy food choices.
5. Take time to teach those in your life the importance of staying active and monitoring their hearts.
This February, find love with a Healthy Heart. Take care of yourself and promote a change in your community by being educated and proactive on the risks of cardiovascular disease. Because the best way to celebrate love is with a healthy heart.
References:
“DID YOU KNOW? February is Philippine Heart Month” from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1085528/did-you-know-february-is-philippine-heart-month-2
“All there is to know about Philippine Heart Month” from https://seriousmd.com/blog/philippine-heart-month/
“Heart disease in the Philippines” from https://www.ajconline.org/article/0002-9149(62)90323-5/fulltext#:~:text=The%20leading%20cause%20of%20heart,15.5%20per%20cent)%20heart%20disease.
“Heart Month 2021” from https://www.philheart.org/index.php/component/content/article/7-pha-news/875-heart-month-2021?Itemid=435