Holidays aren’t cheat days – PHA

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) reminded the public not to forget their maintenance medicines even during the holidays.

During the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), PHA Director III and Advocacy Committee Chair Dr. Iris Garcia and celebrity Chef RV Manabat told the public that the holiday season does not mean a holiday on maintenance.

“Eto yung excessive 'party-party-party'… Siyempre naiipon yung cholesterol natin,” Garcia shared.

(This is the excessive 'party-party-party'… Of course, our cholesterol builds up.)

“Yung mga cholesterol medications natin, yung mga diabetes natin… (Our cholesterol medications, our diabetes…) We have to take care of our blood pressure. We have to take care of our sugar, blood sugar,” she added.

According to Garcia, maintenance medications especially can’t be forgotten during this time of year as patients are eating more.

Meanwhile, she also reminded the public to maintain proper sleeping hours.

“Hindi po cheat day na just because it’s Christmas… Eh pano yan, every day may party so everyday cheat day? Maawa tayo sa puso natin,” she said.

(It’s not a cheat day just because it’s Christmas… Then what will happen, there’s a party every day so every day is cheat day? Let’s have mercy on our hearts.)

Garcia said that the holiday season brings an increase in health concerns called the holiday heart syndrome.

Earlier, the PHA advised the public to curb the intake of alcohol, fatty, and salty foods this holiday season to avoid the holiday heart syndrome.

The Holiday Heart Syndrome is the phenomenon that health experts note every holiday season when increased blood pressure is seen in many patients due to excessive alcohol consumption, stress, lack of rest, and eating too much salty or fatty foods during the holidays.

DOH noted that other than the Holiday Heart Syndrome, among the common holiday health concerns were weight gain, increased high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as digestive discomfort and bloating. — LA, GMA Integrated News