Leading cause of death

In the Philippines, the leading cause of death in adults is ischemic heart disease. In other words, heart attacks. This is when a blood clot disrupts supply to the heart vessels, but it can also occur when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged over the years. The heart is essentially a muscle and requires a good blood supply to function normally and efficiently. From what I have read, two main blood vessels supply the heart. These in turn branch out into many vessels that become smaller in diameter as the branches occur. A blood clot will lodge itself when it is bigger than the caliber of a blood vessel. Large blood clots can block any of the two main arteries causing an immediate attack. The smaller clots will lodge themselves down the line, causing symptoms from shortness of breath to chest pains.

Needless to say, regular consultation with a cardiologist can help monitor any signs or symptoms of heart disease. At the risk of sounding paranoid, any discomfort in the chest or change in one’s daily activities should be reason enough for a consultation. If one has a family history of heart disease, the chances of having heart disease increase.

But one factor why heart disease is high on the list is because of the cost of healthcare itself. To be able to closely monitor one’s health you will need to spend for it. PhilHealth can only help so much. The more complicated procedures like a cardiac angiogram and an angioplasty will set you back hundreds of thousands if not millions. And there lies the problem. Only the rich can afford good healthcare. There are state hospitals that are slowly being modernized through private and foreign grants but still not enough to make it truly affordable for everyone. As a result, people without the resources unfortunately add to the tally.

We should also take a look and even blame the Filipino diet. Filipino food is high in both fat and salt. The beloved adobo is a good example. This diet transcends all socioeconomic classes. From the rich to the poor, everyone loves a good, savory adobo with pork belly cuts swimming in oil. The government, particularly the Department of Health (DOH) should stress healthy eating to all citizens. I understand the challenge of educating people on what to eat if they do not have the funds in the first place. The socioeconomically challenged will buy what they can afford. Having said all that, heart disease is a national health crisis in the country, one that needs to be addressed. There are other diseases plaguing the country such as stroke, infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, and diabetes. All deserve the attention of the DOH. Not an easy task, especially if more people are concerned about earning a living than living a healthy life.