BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — While Filipinos are generally aware of basic heart care practices, the failure to implement them and the spread of unvalidated information remain as major challenges in combating cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Carlo Dominick Pangwi, Invasive Cardiologist of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), said that while initiatives like the Philippine Heart Association’s “5 to 100” program have gained traction, and concepts such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and limiting salt intake are widely known, adherence remains low.
The problem is we don’t execute what we know, he said.
Dr. Pangwi also raised concerns over the proliferation of inaccurate health information in the digital age, highlighting the responsibility of social media platforms and users to verify sources of data.
Filipinos are intelligent and have access to information with just one click, but we must check its validity.
Not all information we see is validated or correct. We need to be aware and ensure that what we share or follow come from credible sources, the doctor emphasized.
He noted that Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the most common cause of death and morbidity worldwide, is no longer limited to older adults. He shared that medical professionals are now treating patients as young as 21 years old, citing a recent case of a 21-year-old female who suffered a heart attack despite having no lifestyle vices or family history of the disease, but was taking oral contraceptive pills for hormone regulation.
In Baguio City, cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death and morbidity.
Dr. Pangwi explained that it often co-occurs with other conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, which may be hereditary or lifestyle-related.
“Ang cardiovascular disease hindi lang nag-iisa, kadalasan ay kasama ito ng iba pang sakit tulad ng hypertension, diabetes, at dyslipedemia. Ang ilan sa mga risk factor na ito ay namamana, habang ang iba ay dahil sa lifestyle. Kung mas marami kang ganitong risk factors, mas mataas ang tsansa na magkaroon ka ng coronary artery disease,” he said.
He also explained why heart disease is sometimes called a “tridor,” saying it refers to the sudden nature where a person can appear healthy one moment and face life-threatening complications the next.
The doctor’s advice: Listen to your body. Pain and other symptoms are signals that should never be ignored. Catching conditions early can make all the difference.” **JDP/MAWC- PIA-CAR
