From January to June of 2022 (and in previous years), ischemic heart diseases were  the leading cause of deaths in the country,   with 48,728 cases or 18.5 percent of the total deaths. Reason behind this is that many Filipinos may have ischemic episodes  and heart attacks without knowing it, as  it has no prior warning. It is even called “silent ischemia” or “silent killer.”

In addition, many  are not aware that we can reduce the risks through healthy lifestyles, healthy diet and exercise. If we Filipinos choose the 10 Kumainments as our top health priorities, we can save more -- not only for pregnant women and children but adults as well. 

 Prevention

It is time to be well informed because we  can prevent premature deaths by choosing the  10 Kumainments. We can focus  on  the following: number 3,  which  corresponds to “Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw araw”; number 4 “Kumain ng isda, karne (lean meat) at ibang pagkaing may protina”; number  8  “hinay hinay sa maalat, mamantika at matatamis”; number 9  “Panatilihin ang tamang timbang”; and number 10 “Maging aktibo, iwasan ang alak; huwag manigarilyo.

 Risk factors

It is also beneficial  to be familiar  with the  most common  risk factors  which are: high blood cholesterol level, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity (or no exercise), diabetes, tobacco, High blood triglyceride level (a type of blood fat), obesity, family history, gender (greater for women), waist circumference (more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches in men) and stress.

Stress, the last in the list of the risk factors,  can have an important role as a trigger of acute ischemic attacks. The mechanism by which mental stress can induce myocardial ischemia is represented by an increase in myocardial oxygen demand, through the increased heart rate and blood pressure, probably associated with an increase in coronary vascular resistance.

Myocardial ischemia  occurs when blood flow to your heart is reduced, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen. The reduced blood flow is usually the result of a partial or complete blockage of your heart's arteries (coronary arteries).

 Symptoms

Some people who have myocardial ischemia don't have any signs or symptoms (silent ischemia). When they do occur, the most common is chest pressure or pain, typically on the left side of the body (angina pectoris). Other signs and symptoms — which might be experienced more commonly by women, older people and people with diabetes — include: Neck or jaw pain; Shoulder or arm pain; A fast heartbeat; Shortness of breath when you are physically active; Nausea and vomiting; Sweating; Fatigue. Complications include Heart attack, Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), and heart failure.

Treatment for myocardial ischemia involves improving blood flow to the heart muscle and treatment may include medications, and  a procedure to open blocked arteries (angioplasty) or bypass surgery. Overall, the impact of ischemic heart disease is too costly.

 To save our lives and those of others, always remember then to : 1) Watch what you eat: eat healthy, and avoid foods that are too salty, too sweet and too oily; 2) Exercise and maintain a healthy weight as  staying active increases your heart health; 3) Relax and avoid stress; 4) Avoid smoking and polluted areas; 5) Take your medications as prescribed; and 6) Get regular check-ups; 7) Follow careful monitoring of cholesterol level, blood pressure and blood sugar level.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myocardial-ischemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20375417

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8020044/#:~:text=Stress%20can%20have%20an%20important,infarct%2C%20ST%20segment%20depression).

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

https://www.baptisthealth.com/services/heart-care/conditions/cerebrovascular-disease

https://psa.gov.ph/tags/death-statistics#:~:text=2022%20Causes%20of%20Deaths%20in,the%20same%20period%20in%20202