Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among Filipinos, but many cases can be prevented or controlled through healthy lifestyle changes, early screening, and cardiac rehabilitation for those who already have heart disease.
Heart disease in Filipinos
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects about 1 in 6 Filipinos and remains one of the top global causes of death, including ischemic heart disease and stroke.
- A 2023 report using Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that from January to December 2022, the top three causes of death in the Philippines were ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms (cancers), and cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke).
- In more recent PSA reports, ischemic heart disease has continued to account for about 19–20% of all recorded deaths in the Philippines.
What is heart disease?
- The term heart disease covers several conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), and structural heart disease.
- The most common type is coronary artery disease (CAD), where plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, narrowing them and reducing blood flow.
- When blood flow becomes too low or is suddenly blocked, it can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack, which can permanently damage the heart muscle.
Common symptoms
Sometimes heart disease is “silent” and only becomes obvious when a serious event such as a heart attack, heart failure, or dangerous arrhythmia occurs. Seek urgent care if you notice:
- Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort; pain in the upper back, neck, jaw, or arms; heartburn-like discomfort; nausea or vomiting; extreme fatigue; dizziness; or shortness of breath.
- Arrhythmia: Fluttering in the chest, dizziness, loss of consciousness, a racing or very slow heartbeat, or feeling that the heart is “skipping” beats.
- Heart failure: Shortness of breath (especially when lying down or with activity), fatigue, and swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
Risk factors in the Philippines
Heart disease often develops over many years due to a combination of medical conditions and lifestyle factors. In the Philippines, several major risk factors are highly prevalent:
- Diabetes, which damages blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects around one-third of adults.
- Dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels) is reported in more than half of adults in some local studies.
- Smoking remains common, with roughly 1 in 5 Filipino adults using tobacco.
- Overweight and obesity, which increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk.
- Physical inactivity, which worsens weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar control.
Other important conditions and habits that raise heart disease risk include:
- Unhealthy diet, especially high in salt, sugar, and saturated or trans fats, and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Excessive alcohol use, which can raise blood pressure, harm the heart muscle, and contribute to abnormal rhythms and weight gain.
Cardiac treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery
CGHMC provides a full range of cardiac diagnostics and treatment, including:
- Non‑invasive tests such as ECG, treadmill stress testing, Holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and 2D/3D echocardiography for both adults and children.
- Advanced imaging like CT angiography to detect coronary artery blockages, aortic disease, and other vascular problems quickly and non‑invasively.
- Interventional cardiology procedures in the Cardiovascular Catheterization and Interventional Unit (Cath Lab), such as coronary angiogram and angioplasty/stenting, hemodynamic studies, valvuloplasty, device closures (ASD, PDA), pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, and transcatheter valve therapies (e.g., TAVR, MitraClip).
- Cardiovascular surgery services for coronary artery bypass, valve surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, and other complex operations, with post‑operative monitoring in dedicated cardiovascular recovery units.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program for people recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or heart surgery, and can also benefit those with stable coronary artery disease.
A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program typically includes:
- Structured physical activity: Safe, progressive exercise tailored to your abilities to strengthen the heart and improve stamina.
- Education on healthy living: Guidance on heart-healthy eating, weight management, blood pressure and cholesterol control, and proper medication use.
- Support to quit smoking: Counseling, medications, and behavioral strategies to help you stop tobacco use.
- Stress management and mental health care: Counseling and techniques to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which can improve quality of life and outcomes after a cardiac event.
A multidisciplinary team often delivers cardiac rehab, which may include:
- Your health care team (physicians, nurses, and cardiologists).
- Exercise and nutrition specialists who design safe exercise plans and meal strategies.
- Physical therapists who help improve strength, balance, and functional capacity.
- Counselors or mental health professionals who support emotional recovery and behavior change.
If you or a family member has had a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, or heart surgery, ask your cardiologist for a referral to a cardiac rehabilitation program and check the CGHMC website for information on available services and how to enroll.
What you can do now
- Schedule a heart health check: If you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a strong family history, book a consultation with a Cardiologist.
- Start small lifestyle changes: Aim for more physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and following your prescribed medications consistently.
- Know the warning signs: Learn the symptoms of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, and seek immediate medical care if they occur.
For heart check-ups, diagnostic tests, or cardiac rehabilitation, contact the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center Heart Institute:
- Heart Station (non-invasive diagnostics)
- Location: 1st Floor, Main Building, Chinese General Hospital & Medical Center, 286 Blumentritt St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
- Contact Nos.: (02) 8711-4141 local 262 or 321 / (02) 8742 3754
- The Heart Institute – Cardiovascular Telemetry
- Contact Nos.: (02) 8711-4141 loc. 235 / (02) 8743 2089
- Cardiovascular Catheterization and Intervention Unit (Cath Lab)
- Contact Nos.: (02) 8711-4141 local 291 / (02) 8743 1442
- Email: cathlab@cghmc.com.ph
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Section (CARES)
- Contact Nos.: (02) 8711-4141 local 543 / (02) 8743 2023
- Email: cares@cghmc.com.ph
For more details, visit the CGHMC Heart Institute page at https://cghmc.com.ph/health-service/heart-institute/.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Philippine Statistics Authority; World Health Organization; American Heart Association; Journal of Public Health (Oxford University Press).
