BAGUIO City’s health workers are revitalizing their efforts in the campaign for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases as September 26 is celebrated as World Heart Day.
This goes on as records of the Health Services Office, Baguio Health Department (HSO-BHD) showed that heart disease ranks first in the 10 leading causes of death in the city for 2005 and 2006.
Following the ranking are vascular disease, cancer, pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, homicide, liver disease, sepsis, chronic pulmonary disease and prematurity.
The same is true in national records: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims 25 percent of total deaths; one in every four deaths; and nine Filipinos die of CVD every hour.
As to statistics, common cardiovascular diseases and the number of victims affected, are congenital heart disease, one out of 500 school children; rheumatic heart disease, one out of 1,000 school children; coronary/ischemic heart disease, one out of 20 adults aged 40 years old and above; and, hypertension, one out of 10 adults aged 15 years old and above.
However, health authorities are aiming for a healthier nation of Filipinos through; healthy lifestyle and habits, clean and safe environment for the living and working populace, and citizens with access to adequate medical care for cardiovascular disease. The ways to attain said goal, are through having a smoke-free environment. Smokers should quit and non-smokers should not start the habit; fatty and salty foods should be avoided, nutritious food should be prioritized instead; blood pressure should be checked regularly; a regular exercise regimen should be followed; the ideal body weight should be maintained; stressful situations should be avoided, adequate rest and recreation should be maintained; and excessive alcohol intake should be avoided.
Causes or risk factors involved in the development of CVD, which should be avoided or minimized, are maternal infection and drug intake, maternal disease, and heredity; frequent streptococcal infection and sore throat; and high salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and smoking, stressful living. (JF)
