PHA: Keys to healthy heart include fruits, vegetables, exercise

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has counted down the ways to a healthy heart: fruits, vegetables, right amount of sodium, and exercise.

Dr. Rucci Cruz, a cardiac rehabilitation specialist, described this as the 52100 advocacy program which means five servings of fruits and vegetables, not more than 2 grams of sodium, at least one hour of exercise, zero smoking, and zero sugary drinks on a daily basis.

“52100 is a simple means of avoiding the risk factors of heart disease,” she said during the forum titled Usapang Puso sa Puso: Palyadong Puso: May Pag-asa, ‘Wag Susuko.

In addition, Cruz, chairperson of the PHA Council on Heart Failure’s National Heart Failure Network (NHFN) Advocacy and Emerging Therapies Committee, said that regular check-ups with a physician is essential to maintaining proper health and catching warning signs such as high cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, early on.

She then said that 2D echocardiography (2D echo) ultrasound is the best way in diagnosing heart failure.

“A 2D Echo isn’t scary: there’s no radiation or injections. It tells us if there’s heart failure and what kind, and can also tell us if the condition of the patient is getting worse,” she added.

PHA said heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to properly pump blood into the body, with the usual symptoms including a shortness of breath, tiring easily, swelling, and palpitations.

Cruz noted that heart failure is not a reason to give up on life.

“Don’t be scared if you have heart failure. There is medication and even if heart failure can’t be cured, treatment makes it very manageable. It isn’t a death sentence,” she said.

Dr. Karen Caudor of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Cebu City which pioneered the Heart Failure Clinic  (VSMMC HF) under the NHFN, for her part, emphasized the benefits of having a multi-specialty doctors and health professionals composed of nurses, dieticians, physical therapists working as a team in treating patients with heart failure.

The Philippines has 21 PHA-accredited Cardiology Training Institutions which offer heart failure treatment.

“The PHA NHFN aims to empower institutions and areas across the entire country with the capability to treat heart failure, as well as raise awareness through education,” Caudor said.

The PHA said most people who develop heart failure have had another heart condition first, and the most common trigger factors are: coronary artery disease (also known as ischemic heart disease), high blood pressure, and a previous heart attack.—AOL, GMA Integrated News