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The situation with coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Philippines is changing quickly, bringing both challenges and new possibilities. Did you know that 33% of all deaths in the Philippines are caused by heart diseases? This shows how serious the issue is and why understanding and prevention are so important. This article looks into the latest technologies and new regulations that are affecting how we prevent and manage heart attacks. Let’s see what this means for you and the community.
Coronary heart disease is a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries that bring blood to your heart. This plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other things in your blood. When plaque builds up, it can slow down or block blood flow to the heart. If your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen, it can lead to a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease is mainly caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, blocking blood flow. This buildup can be triggered by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and not getting enough exercise. When these arteries narrow due to plaque, it can lead to sudden heart attacks.
According to the Philippine Department of Health, over 200,000 heart attacks happen each year in the Philippines. About 55% of these cases are in men and 45% in women. Unfortunately, around 40% of heart attack victims die before reaching the hospital, showing the urgent need for quick and effective treatment. (ABS-CBN).
Your risk of having a heart attack can be higher if heart disease runs in your family. If a family member has had heart problems, you’re more likely to develop the same issues. This makes it important to know your family’s health history and get regular check-ups.
Poor lifestyle choices, like eating a diet high in unhealthy fats, smoking, and not exercising, can raise your risk of heart disease. Eating too much processed food, sugary drinks, and carbs can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. Smoking is especially harmful as it damages your arteries and speeds up heart disease. To keep your heart healthy, it’s important to eat nutritious foods and stay active.
Certain health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can raise your risk of heart attacks. High blood pressure can damage your arteries and strain your heart, while diabetes can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. Obesity increases the risk because it’s often linked to high blood pressure and diabetes. Managing these conditions with the right treatment and healthy lifestyle changes is key to lowering your heart attack risk.
Chest pain is a key sign of a heart attack. It usually happens in the center or left side of the chest and may feel like pressure, tightness, or burning. The pain can be mild or severe, lasting for several minutes or coming and going. This pain happens because the heart isn’t getting enough blood due to blocked arteries.
Shortness of breath and cold sweats are also signs of a heart attack. Shortness of breath happens because the heart isn’t pumping blood well, which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. Cold sweats indicate that your body is under stress from the heart attack. You might also feel nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and extreme tiredness along with these symptoms.
Heart attack symptoms in women can be different from those in men. Women are more likely to feel shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw. They might not always have the usual chest pain, which can make these symptoms harder to recognize as a heart attack. It’s important for women to be aware of these signs and get medical help right away if they experience them.
Living a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing coronary heart attacks. Some simple tips include eating a diet low in unhealthy fats and high in fiber, exercising regularly, and not smoking. Cutting back on salt and sugar can also help keep your blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check.
Regular health check-ups are important for spotting heart disease early and keeping your heart healthy. By getting these routine exams, you can keep track of your heart’s condition and take steps to prevent problems. These check-ups usually include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other assessments to make sure your heart is in good shape.
Managing stress and taking care of your mental health are also important for preventing heart attacks. Too much stress can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of a heart attack. To handle stress, try activities like meditation, yoga, or hobbies you enjoy.
Understanding heart attacks and their risk factors is key to keeping your heart healthy. By knowing the signs like chest pain and shortness of breath and being aware of risk factors such as family history and poor lifestyle choices, you can take steps to prevent heart problems. This includes living a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and getting regular check-ups. Remember, it's better to prevent heart issues than to deal with them later, so start taking care of your heart now.
For extra protection, consider heart attack insurance from Oona. This insurance can help cover high medical costs and ensure you get the best care without stressing about expenses.
Regular health check-ups are essential for spotting heart disease early and keeping your heart healthy. These check-ups include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other assessments to keep track of your heart’s condition.
To prevent coronary heart disease, eat a diet low in unhealthy fats and high in fiber, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and cut down on salt and sugar.
Yes, managing stress is important for preventing heart attacks. Stress can raise blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of heart attacks. Practices like meditation, yoga, and hobbies you enjoy can help manage stress.
Coronary heart disease mainly happens because plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup can be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and not getting enough exercise.
Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and extreme tiredness. Women might also feel pain in the back or jaw and nausea or vomiting without the usual chest pain.
