Doctors and other healthcare professionals are concerned about recent increases in mortality from heart disease and diabetes.
According to the Philippine Statistics Office, ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2020 and 2021.
Indeed, the number climbed from more than 95,000 in 2020 to about 126,000 in 2021. Meanwhile, diabetes-related deaths are expected to rise by 22% to 44,000 by 2021.
These findings were highlighted in the recent “Confessions of a Sweet Talker: How Your Sweet Tooth Can Cause Heartaches” media briefing of For Your Sweetheart Philippines, a nationwide movement led by Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines to raise awareness about the critical link between diabetes and heart disease.
Panelists at the event mentioned lifestyle changes as one of the most likely causes of the rise in these medical issues, owing to pandemic patterns and limits.
“Pandemic lockdowns and quarantines have seriously impacted the health of many Filipinos by limiting their movement and keeping them from engaging in exercise,” noted Philippine Heart Association (PHA) secretary, Dr. Rodney Jimenez. “And this was exacerbated by heightened anxiety, as well as the availability of streaming services and social media.”
Online health risk assessment tool: https://foryoursweetheart.ph/
Both hypertension and diabetes are avoidable. In reality, consumers may use easy internet tools to determine whether they have any health hazards.
The Framingham Assessment Test, for example, is a web-based written test that computes the risk of getting cardiovascular disease based on a set of data points such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The test is free, and anybody between the ages of 30 and 74 may do it to determine whether they are at risk of having a heart attack within the next ten years.
“Accessible online tools like the Framingham Assessment Test help provide a picture of one’s health prior to consulting a doctor,” said Ms. Leyden Florido, President of Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators. “Results can be brought to a doctor for proper interpretation and necessary action.”
The Framingham Assessment Test takes only 10 minutes and can be found at www.foryoursweetheart.ph. Even people without a history of heart ailments are encouraged to take it.
Back to regular consultations
Other panelists in the event noted that many people may not be aware that diabetes can lead to heart disease.
“A lot of Filipinos living with diabetes don’t realize that if they don’t learn to manage their condition properly, it can lead to heart disease,” said Dr. Pasaporte, president of Diabetes Philippines. “This is especially true for people who have vices, are hypertensive and unmindful of their diet, and lead a sedentary lifestyle.”
He stated that in order to manage medical illnesses and reduce the number of fatalities from diabetes and heart disease, Filipinos must return to a healthy lifestyle or alter their behavior entirely.
For Your Sweetheart PH, which debuted in 2020, intends to consistently educate Filipinos about the link between diabetes and heart disease, as well as how to effectively treat the illness. The Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PCEDM), the Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists (ACE), Diabetes Philippines (DP), the Institute for Diabetes Studies Foundation (ISDF), the Philippine Association for Diabetes Educators (PADE), and the Philippine Alliance Patient Organizations all support the campaign (PAPO).
