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MANILA, Philippines — Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day, and Philippine Heart Month reminds Filipinos of the importance of caring for their hearts.
Why? Because the Philippine Statistics Authority reports that ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular illness, and neoplasms are among the leading causes of mortality in the Philippines between January and September 2022.
Dr. Anthony Tony Leachon, an advocate for healthcare reform, has posted videos on YouTube with advice for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease.
On Valentine’s Day, people should be extra cautious of the risk factors related to heart disease. According to Leachon, age, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle can all contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. To keep your heart healthy, he recommends avoiding any modifiable risks such as smoking, drinking, and poor diet to lessen the possibility of developing heart disease.
Home care remedies
According to Leachon, Filipinos should keep their blood pressure at or around 140/90 and be wary of the risk of stroke if it rises above 180.
In an emergency, Leachon urged people to keep the acronym FAST in mind (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time). It will aid in the detection of any stroke symptoms.
Leachon suggested that those who live distant from hospitals get a prescription for “Clonidine” from their primary care physicians and carry a sphygmomanometer (a device used to measure blood pressure) on hand.
“Ilalagay yan [Clonidine] sa ilalim ng dila pero dapat nakahiga kasi baka matumba at kailangan may pang blood pressure kayo […] 30 minutes i-check kung mataas pa rin after one hour hindi bumababa sa 180, bring your relative o kayo to the nearest hospital,” he explained.
(Clonidine must be placed under the tongue while the person is lying down. If you have a sphygmomanometer, check the blood pressure every 30 mins, and if it does not go down within 1 hour, bring your relative or yourself to the nearest hospital.)
Furthermore, Leachon suggests that Filipinos with chest discomfort should consult their physicians and take it easy at home.
Throughout February, the famous doctor will be hosting his unique “Puso Series” to inform and engage with the public.