MANILA, Philippines - The public was advised yesterday to take the necessary precautions to avoid stress arising from traffic congestion.
Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa said stress can cause cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and heart attack.
“We know for a fact and proven in medical science that if you live in a city where there is more traffic, the incidence of heart attack is also higher because of stress,” he said.
Herbosa said Metro Manila residents should do things to divert their attention from traffic like reading books or listening to music.
“Do things that can relieve you from stress and help you to relax if you are stuck in traffic,” he said.
Adjusting travel time like leaving early for work can also help, he added.
Herbosa said authorities must enforce measures to solve the traffic problem to prevent an increase in cardiovascular diseases.
“It is important for the traffic problem to be solved at the soonest time because it’s an additional health risk to the people,” he said.