PHA: Ischemic heart disease still leading cause of death in 2022

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) on Friday said ischemic heart disease was still the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2022.

PHA Director and Chair for Advocacy Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo said, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data, ischemic heart disease was the top killer in the country and even worldwide in 2022 and not COVID-19.

“Ang pinaka number one killer cause number one mortality based on the data 2022 galing sa PSA ang tinatawag na ischemic heart disease, hindi po COVID. At ganito rin yung picture even during the early years of COVID pandemic in 2020 and we see the same picture worldwide,” Segundo said in the Department of Health (DOH)’s Kapihan forum.

(The number one killer, the number one cause of mortality based on the data in 2022 from the PSA is called ischemic heart disease, not COVID. And this is also the picture even during the early years of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and we see the same picture worldwide.)

He said coronary artery disease or also known as ischemic heart disease is the lack of oxygen flow to the heart. This is caused by the narrowing of the coronary artery from cholesterol buildup that makes it difficult for the blood to flow, particularly oxygen.

“Ang sintomas po na nararamdaman ng pasyente na may coronary artery disease o ischemic heart disease ay tinatawag na angina. Angina ang tawag sa sakit sa dibdib na inaakala ng mga doctor dahil sa coronary heart disease,” he said.

(The symptom that a patient with coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease feels is called angina. Angina causes chest pain that doctors think is due to coronary heart disease.)

Citing the data from the Philippine Nutrition Facts and Figures, Segundo said at least 5.2 million Filipinos have angina in 2003, while 12.4 million Filipinos have angina in 2013.

The modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease are hypertension, dyslipidemia or abnormal blood level cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

He then encouraged patients who experienced angina to consult their cardiologist for proper medication.

“Gamutan po ang treatment [para] to release chest pain, prevent risk heart attack and heart failure, and pinakaimportante to control risk factors na maari mayroon yung pasyente kasama na yung kaukulang sakit hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol,” he said.

(Get the treatment and medications to release chest pain, prevent the risk of heart attack and heart failure, and most importantly control risk factors that the patient may have including the corresponding disease hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.)

Some patients may need medical therapy or procedures such as angioplasty and heart bypass.

“Ang pinakaimportante po sa lahat ay prevention at hindi po ito magastos dahil po pinakita ko kanina modifiable risk factors so paano ito iiwasan syempre kung may sakit na mayroon highblood pressure, cholesterol, high blood sugar, may diabetes na, kinakailangan magpacheck up sa doctor at nagmamaintain ng gamot,” Segundo said.

(The most important thing of all is prevention and it is not expensive because I showed earlier modifiable risk factors so how can it be avoided of course if you have a disease with high blood pressure, cholesterol, high blood sugar, diabetes, you need a check-up with a doctor and maintain your medicine.)

“Kung kayo ay nag smoke huwag manigarilyo at iwasan lalo na s? mga bata magsimula mag-smoke. I-control ang timbang madali magawa kung may regular exercise,” he added.

(Stop smoking, especially those minors who are starting to smoke. Exercise regularly to control your weight.)

The PSA earlier reported that the top killer diseases in the country in 2020 and 2021 were ischemic heart disease and COVID-19.

The PHA also urged the public to incorporate the 5-2-1-0-0 or the five servings of vegetables and fruits, 2 grams of salt, 1-hour exercise, zero smoking, and zero sugary drinks. — DVM, GMA Integrated News