In time for the celebration of the Philippine Heart Month, a Filipino health expert enumerated fundamental ways on how one can lessen the risk of having cardiovascular diseases.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1096 s. 1973, Philippine Heart Month is observed annually in February. This seeks to address the growing number of heart disease cases among Filipinos, highlighting that it should be “attended with urgency.”

Health Reform Advocate Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon on Monday, Feb. 13, told Manila Bulletin that as a way to help his patients, he came up with a “health checklist” in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

'Healthy Lifestyle Checklist'

Top on the health expert’s 10-point “healthy lifestyle” checklist is to stop smoking. According to Leachon, smoking is directly linked to critical illnesses, among which is heart disease.

This, as listed by Leachon, should be followed by proper diet and exercise with the target of “maintaining” an ideal body weight.

“Avoid high-fat processed . Keeping physically active is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes,” he stressed.

Apart from smoking, one must also limit or even avoid drinking alcohol. A good way of life will not be complete without relaxation and meditation, but the most important is regular visits to the doctor.

“Reduce stress, take medications regularly, sleep for at least eight hours, be happy,” said Leachon.

As to why these are all important to follow, Leachon quoted a proverb, saying: “Health is wealth. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

In 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) bared that the country’s top cause of death was Ischaemic heart disease. This was also the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2021. PSA, based on its latest statistics, listed “other heart diseases” as the eighth leading cause of mortality in the country.

In relation to this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity among the “leading risk factors” for heart disease.