Love your heart this love month - health group

MANILA – A group of health advocates urged Filipinos on Valentine’s Day to show extra love for their hearts by keeping them in shape this heart month.

In a statement on Tuesday, February 14, the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) emphasized that cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be the leading cause of death nationwide and worldwide.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease, caused by narrowed arteries, was the top cause of death in the country from January to September 2022.

It claimed the lives of more than 77,000 or 18.5 percent of total deaths.

Meanwhile, CVD is the leading cause of death globally killing over 18 million people each year or 33 percent of total deaths in the world.

The HPA noted that the risk factors are diverse which include poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol usage.

Persons with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are at higher risk.

Meanwhile, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations President Karen Villanueva said there is no cure for