More young people getting heart diseases - PHA

MANILA, Philippines - More young people are suffering from cardiovascular diseases due to unhealthy lifestyle habits in the workplace, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said yesterday.

PHA vice president Dr. Eleanor Lopez has called for a healthy workplace in a bid to curb a high hypertension death rate in the Philippines.

“Cardiovascular disease patients are getting younger and the scourge has crept in the workplace. We urge the public to stop nurturing a generation that carries distinct risks of developing catastrophic vascular complications like a heart attack or a stroke,” Lopez said in an interview during the celebration of heart month 2010 with the theme “Ang Mahusay na Manggagawa, sa Katawan di Pabaya” in Quezon City yesterday.

She cited young people working in call centers who adapt unhealthy diet and lifestyle habits and are most susceptible to developing cardiovascular diseases.

“At the workplace, you sit the whole day for eight hours and don’t do any activity. A lot are also smokers and eat cholesterol and fat-laden foods. We are concerned that people in their 20s, 30s who are not even in their 50s have heart diseases,” Lopez said.

The PHA said the Philippines has among the highest death rates for hypertension in Asia; second to Indonesia in mortality for rheumatic heart disease. The country also ranked third for stroke after Japan and fourth after Singapore in coronary heart diseases. Overall deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprised 25 percent of total deaths in 1995.

Lopez urged the public to keep a wholesome health regimen to avoid contracting cardiovascular diseases at an early age.

 A well-balanced diet and an increased intake of vegetables and fruits narrow down one’s cardiovascular disease risk by 17 percent and quitting smoking will help keep a normal blood pressure (120/80) and sugar level (90 to 100). Physical inactivity ups the risk of developing heart disease by 1.5 times.