Cardiologist urges individuals with heart conditions to get annual tests

A cardiologist on Wednesday urged individuals with heart conditions to get annual check-ups to monitor their situation, saying they should not wait until they develop symptoms.

During the Philippine Heart Association forum, Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine president Jay Bernardo cited situations wherein individuals suddenly collapse during marathons or other physical activities.

“Kailangan bago kayo sumabak diyan, kung alam ninyo may problema kayo sa puso, dapat kaya ninyo, no? You meet that basic threshold ng inyong stamina,” he said.

(Before you join such activities, and you know that you have heart problem, you should be sure that you can do it. You meet that basic threshold of your stamina.)

“Ngayon kung paano mo ba malalaman… and what I always advise is kailangan unahan mo. 'Wag ninyo hintayin na mayroon kayong maramdaman bago kayo magpa check up. Lalo’t habang tayo ay naga-advance age na,” he added.

(Now how would you know this? What I always advise is you have to get ahead of it. Don’t wait until you develop symptoms before getting a check-up, especially since we are aging.)

He advised the public to get their blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol checked at least once or twice a year.

Bernardo also urged these individuals to get stress tests so they would be prepared.

“I-check ninyo ‘yung kalagayan ng puso ninyo. Kung merong indikasyon na, kayo ay magpa stress test which is a very basic test para malaman ang inyong kapasidad,” he said.

(Check the condition of your heart. If there is an indication, get a stress test which is a very basic test to know your capacity.)

Meanwhile, psychiatrist Joffrey Quiring said mental health conditions can result in heart problems and vice versa.

“‘Pag merong mental heath condition na like anxiety, depression pwede maka impact… magkakaroon po ng effect sa puso ‘yan. Pero it’s the same way na kapag meron pong problema sa puso or may other problems like metabolic condition… pwede din po ‘yan makadagdag ‘yan ng anxiety, depression,” he said.

(If you have a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, it can have an impact or effect on your heart. The same way that if you have a heart condition or other problems like metabolic condition, it can cause anxiety, depression.)

Due to this, Quiring also pushed for check-ups as well as healthy practices such as sleeping better, eating healthy, and exercising.

“‘Yung kanina physical, biological. When we talk about the psychosocial, ito ‘yung knowing how to cope better, understanding yourself more, accepting who you are and what is happening to you, sana without judgment, and then knowing when to ask for help,” he said.—AOL, GMA News