ILOILO – Do not wait for a heart attack before checking your health.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) urged Ilonggos to regularly monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI), warning that uncontrolled levels can silently increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic illnesses and kidney failure.
The warning came as the province joined the observance of World Heart Day on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon stressed that heart protection should be an everyday habit rather than something people think about only after symptoms appear.
“Whatever we take in, whatever we inhale and whatever we do, dapat it should protect our heart and our blood vessels,” Quiñon told Panay News.
She explained that some risk factors for heart disease cannot be modified, including heredity, which may become more apparent as a person ages.
But many major cardiovascular risks can be controlled, particularly high blood pressure, elevated levels of bad cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and excess weight.
Quiñon said healthy eating, regular physical activity and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce these risks.
“So, ano dapat ang obrahon naton, kapin pa sa may edad? Know your numbers. Check always your blood pressure, and then check your cholesterol level, especially the bad cholesterol. Also check your sugar kon properly controlled bala, kay this also can put you at risk sa heart diseases and even renal failure. then check your waste because kon taas gani ang BMI, that also puts you at risk for heart disease,” she said.
Quiñon stressed that people should not wait for symptoms of hypertension or a cardiovascular emergency before having their blood pressure checked.
MOVE MORE, EAT BETTER
To lower the risk of heart disease, Quiñon advised Ilonggos to get at least 150 minutes of exercise every week, or about 30 minutes a day, along with muscle-strengthening activities.
Office workers should also stand and move periodically to help maintain blood circulation instead of remaining seated for prolonged periods.
She encouraged eating more fruits, vegetables and unsaturated fats while limiting highly processed foods such as tocino, sausages and bacon.
Salt, sugary drinks, processed meats and foods high in trans fats should also be limited.
Smoking should be avoided, including exposure to secondhand smoke, because it damages blood vessels and increases cardiovascular risk.
Quiñon also recommended seven to nine hours of sleep and maintaining a healthy weight without resorting to extreme diets.
“Maintain healthy weight without extreme dieting. Eat in moderation. Watch out sang ginakaon kay kon matambok kita nagataas man ang risk sa cardiovascular disease, especially if ang ginakaon mga fatty food kag taas ang asin,” she said.
Managing stress is equally important, she added. Regular exercise, relaxation, prayer or meditation can help reduce stress.
DON’T STOP MAINTENANCE MEDICINES
Quiñon particularly warned people diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes against stopping their prescribed maintenance medicines simply because they feel better or their blood pressure has returned to normal levels.
“Kinahanglan inumon ang bulong regularly, indi magkalipat, be consistent. Indi siling nga nagnami ang pamatyag mo, untaton mo na inom. No, that is usually the mistake of some people, kibot sila nga gulpi lang sila natumba kay na-heart disease sila. If you have hypertension, kinahanglan mag-inum sang maintenance or sang medication,” she said.
The health official also urged people to immediately seek emergency medical attention if they experience sudden chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, nausea, or pain spreading to the back, arm or jaw.
The message, Quiñon stressed, is simple: knowing and controlling one’s health numbers before symptoms develop could help prevent a potentially fatal cardiovascular emergency./PN
