Don’t let high blood pressure get you down

 

Based on a recent study by the Philippine Heart Association, high blood pressure is living up to its reputation as a silent killer as it is the fifth cause of death among Filipinos from research made by the Philippine Statistics Authority in June 2022. According to the said report, hypertension among Pinoys rose by 37% in 2021. That’s the highest it’s ever been since 1992.

High blood pressure (BP), once thought to be a condition of the elderly, has recently been found in at least 5% of Filipino youth aged 12 to 18. The more shocking finding was that hypertensive adults and adolescents, regardless of age, had the same profile: a higher BMI, waist measurement, and central obesity rate.

World Heart Day: Ways to stay healthy from the expert cardiologists of The Philippine Heart Association

 

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on September 29. It is a significant day for people committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases such as the people behind The Philippine Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is accountable for nearly half of all non-communicable disease deaths making it the world's number one killer. World Heart Day is the perfect day where people can unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the global disease burden. 

Did you know that heart disease and stroke, is the world's leading cause of death claiming 18.6 million lives each year? 

Philippine Heart Association Presents Usapang Puso sa Puso: Usapang QUARANTINE: Mag-DaMoves Para sa Puso

 

I have always been a staunch advocate of the Philippine Heart Association since I had an opportunity to moonlight as their writer for three consecutive years. I saw for myself how dedicated their staff were and how passionate they were in pushing for heart-ailment awareness among Filipinos. So when I was invited recently to attend one of the webinars they organize for public-awareness, I immediately said yes. It was their 9^th episode for Usapang Puso sa Puso where they tackle topics in relation to achieving better heart health. For its 9^th episode, the topic was “Mag-DaMoves Para sa Puso.” It was hosted by cardiologists Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo and Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes. They had doctors Dr. Raul Lapitan and Dr. Nannette Rey as guests who shared their own thoughts about how the pandemic has greatly affected our hearts. They were also joined by celebrity coaches and fitness guru Jim and Toni Saret. 

They mentioned that “Sitting is the new smoking.” It means the more lazy couch potato that you are, the more prone you will be to heart ailments and other diseases. 

Usapang puso sa Puso hosts 

Usapang Puso sa Puso Episode 9

Exercise as we all know strengthens the muscles in our body. It also helps the heart muscle to become more efficient and does its job to pump more blood throughout the body making our blood circulation in good condition. Dr. Lapitan explains that whenever our heart pushes out more blood with each beat, it allows beating slower and keeps our blood pressure under control.