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Love beyond the heart: Medical expert debunks love, heart health myths
Love beyond the heart: Medical expert debunks love, heart health myths
Love – is a really powerful emotion that is often associated with the heart. But what exactly is love, and how does it affect our well-being?
During a Kapehan Session on Feb. 27, organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), Academician Rody G. Sy, a medical expert in cardiovascular health, debunked the common misconception about love and heart health.
When asked about his definition of love, Sy emphasized it can be directed at a person, an activity, or even be inherent within the person due to past experiences.
He went on to express his concerns about the excessive commercialization of Valentine's Day in the Philippines and contrasted it with other countries.
“Unfortunately, I think when we are celebrating Valentine's Day every year, it is too commercialized in our country. I don't think it's celebrated that much in other countries,” Sy said.
Sy also addressed the misconception that being heartbroken causes physical heart damage.
He answered, “Even with heart disease, you can fall in love.”
While heartbreak can impact mental health and indirectly affect the heart through depression, he stressed that "love is more on the brain, not in the heart.”
“Even if you have cardiac, or heart disease, you are still free to do usual activities. The only thing you will have trouble with is strenuous activities. Otherwise, patients with heart disease are actually encouraged to exercise as part of their rehabilitation."
He added that they might just struggle with strenuous activities, but the heartbreak itself does not directly damage the heart.
Moreover, he also warned the public about the importance of seeking early medical attention for any heart-related concerns.
He pointed out that many Filipinos with heart conditions delay seeking help due to the lack of immediate symptoms that can lead to complications and even death.
“Hypertension is very common in the country, but not everyone experiences symptoms. This is dangerous because it can lead to strokes, coronary diseases, loss function or movement of half of your body, or their speech where they can’t talk properly and even heart attacks," the doctor said.
However, “Dahil walang nararamdaman, they don't seek consultation and they end up suddenly in emergency rooms. (Because they don't feel anything, they don't seek consultation and they end up suddenly in emergency rooms),” he added.
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