With mobility restrictions that have also kept people from doing exercise during the pandemic, many Filipinos found themselves to be at risk of health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
In fact, for the past two years, heart disease and diabetes remain the top two causes of mortality in the country despite the pandemic. Data from the Philippine Statistics Office showed that ischemic heart disease was the top cause of death in the country in 2020 and 2021.
To mark Diabetes Awareness Week, experts from the health industry aimed to raise awareness on the critical the link between the two illnesses through a media briefing entitled “Confessions of a Sweet Talker: How Your Sweet Tooth Can Cause Heartaches.”
“A lot of Filipinos living with diabetes don’t realize that if they don’t learn to manage their condition properly, it can lead to heart disease,” said Dr. Francis Pasaporte, president of Diabetes Philippines.
However, panelists shared that hypertension and diabetes are preventable.
They recommend taking the Framingham Assessment Test – a web-based written exam that computes the risk for developing a cardiovascular disease based on a series of information, including cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The test is free and anyone aged 30 to 74 can take it to find out if they are at risk of getting a heart attack within 10 years.
“Accessible online tools like the Framingham Assessment Test help provide a picture of one’s health prior to consulting a doctor. Results can be brought to a doctor for proper interpretation and necessary action,” explained Leyden Florido, president of the Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators.
Everybody, even people without a history of heart ailments, is encouraged to take the 10-minute Framingham Assessment Test through this website: www.foryoursweetheart.ph
It was also suggested by the health experts to make regular consultation a habit.
“They also need to go back to seeing their doctors,” added Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM) president Dr. Carolyn Narvacan-Montano.
“We’re in the new normal now. While online consultation remains a good option to get medical attention, hospitals and clinics can once again accept patients with other conditions by putting in place policies and measures that will protect the health and safety of everyone coming in their building against COVID-19. The best way to know how to keep your diabetes in control and from developing heart disease is still to see your doctor regularly,” she said,
Dr. Narvacan-Montano also promoted PCEDM’s advocacy “Apat Dapat” reminding Filipinos that for the treatment of diabetes to succeed, there are four elements needed to be met: exercise, proper diet, regular intake of anti diabetes medications/insulin, and regular consultations with expert physicians.
Moreover, Dr. Pasaporte emphasized the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and how it could contribute to managing medical conditions and bringing down the number of deaths from diabetes and heart disease.
The campaign is supported by the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM), Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists (ACE), Diabetes Philippines (DP), Institute for the Studies of Diabetes Foundation (ISDF), Philippine Association for Diabetes Educators (PADE), and Philippine Alliance Patient Organizations (PAPO).