A coalition of health and patient organizations on Tuesday, Feb. 14, told the public to “destroy years of unhealthy eating,” reiterating that diet matters when it comes to heart health.
The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) on Tuesday has joined other medical professionals and health experts in encouraging the public to “show extra love for heart.” The organization previously disclosed that non-communicable illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), are a “growing threat” to the economy.
HPA Technical Adviser Maria Fatima Villena said in terms of nutritional benefits, home-cooked meals are better as compared to fast food. The organization backed this statement by reiterating that risk factors of CVDs are diverse, but these certainly include “poor diet.”
“There is no cure for heart disease. You can only treat the factors that contributed to it. That's why some patients struggle with adjusting to a new normal lifestyle after their diagnosis,” said Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations President Karen Villanueva in a press statement.
“s early as now, change your unhealthy habits and don't wait for a heart scare before putting your heart health first," Villanueva added.
Ischemic heart disease, otherwise known as coronary artery disease, is still the leading cause of mortality in the Philippines based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s data. HPA said this is similar to the global data, causing the deaths of over 18 million people each year.