Proper diet leads to a healthy heart

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

THE best way to prevent heart disease is to avoid all factors that may cause it.

A proper diet and eating nutritious food help, according to Dr. Juditha Tawatao of the Department of Health (DOH) 7.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The health department is celebrating February as “Heart Month” to promote the importance of cardiovascular health. This year’s theme is “Isang Pamilya, Isang Puso (One Family, One Heart).”

Tawatao advised the public to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, as this can prevent diseases of the heart, stroke and some cancers.

Things to avoid

She said excessive consumption of sugar that may lead to diabetes should be avoided.

The “empty” calories in sugar may also discourage an individual from eating nutritious foods that the body needs.

She said people should stick to a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, as the fat may clog blood vessels, making it harder for the blood to send oxygen to vital organs.

Exercising regularly and doing some physical activities also help, Tawatao said.

Exercise helps unclog the cholesterol deposits in the blood vessel that may help manage weight and improve blood circulation.

Most importantly, Tawatao said, the public should stay away from smoking and drinking.

“Smoking and too much alcohol are big factors of heart diseases,” she said.

The late president Ferdinand Marcos designated February as “Heart Month” under Presidential Decree 1096 in 1973.

Cause of death

In Central Visayas, almost 65 percent of total deaths were attributed to chronic heart disease, according to DOH 7 records.

Majority of Filipinos are prone to heart diseases because of physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, hypertension and diabetes, according to the health department.

Meanwhile, Tawatao said the DOH 7 may not give out free condoms on Valentine’s Day unlike in previous years.

“I haven’t heard nga manghatag mi og (I have yet to get word that we’ll be distributing) condom this year. Basta couples should be cautious and stick to one partner to avoid diseases, such as STD (sexually-transmitted disease) and Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome),” she said.