The heart is the core of a person's life. With every beat, the heart pumps blood to the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removing metabolic waste from the body's tissues. It's no secret the heart is essential to life. Unfortunately, it is the organ that is often neglected.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a pressing concern among Filipinos. Ischemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2022, accounting for 114,557 cases or 18.4 percent of total deaths.

Omron Healthcare, a global leader in the field of clinically proven, innovative medical equipment, initiates the "Heart Reacts Only" campaign, encouraging Filipinos to love and take care of their heart with five easy steps.

Regularly check your blood pressure

A simple habit, but it can save lives. Having regular blood pressure checkups gives you an overview of your heart's health. Knowing your blood pressure levels provides a clue if you are at risk of having heart diseases.

Recognizing the value of having reliable, accurate and quality blood pressure monitoring tools, Omron Healthcare offers and recommends the Omron Complete and the Stroke Risk Calculator.

The Omron Complete is an upper arm blood pressure monitor that provides a more comprehensive view of your blood pressure and measures your EKG at the same time. But unlike other monitors, the Complete can connect to your mobile phone, which then lets you access the Omron app to get more information about your heart's health such as the pattern of your heartbeat or sinus rhythm. This information can help you track any irregularities in your heartbeat.

The Omron Complete uses ECG technology to enable early detection of atrial fibrillation, a condition that is commonly associated with heart failure and stroke. The Complete is also able to detect other conditions such as tachycardia or a faster heart rate and bradycardia or a slower heart rate.

Hydrate

Ever notice that when you're dehydrated, your heart starts beating faster? That's because the blood volume throughout your body decreases, which means your heart has to beat faster to "catch up." This then increases your heart rate and your blood pressure. This can overwork and strain one's heart.

Laugh more

It's true what they say. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. For one, laughter relaxes you and counters stress, which when isn't managed well can hurt your heart.

Laughing brings a plethora of advantages for your heart. It enables oxygenated blood to circulate around your body, helps your heart work at a steadier pace and lowers blood pressure. It can even decrease artery inflammation and increase good cholesterol. All of these contribute to reducing the risk of heart diseases.

So the next time you see or hear something that splits your sides, go and laugh your heart out! It's good for you in so many ways.

Do some cardio

Exercise strengthens your muscles, including your heart. Doing some spirited cardio regularly helps improve your heart's ability to pump blood throughout your body, resulting in improved blood flow and higher oxygen levels.

The American Heart Association advises at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity — or a combination of both — every week. You don't need to do all 75 or 150 minutes in one go. Spread the workouts throughout the week to remain active.

Your workouts don't necessarily need to be intense all the time, especially if you're just beginning. If you can't sneak a full-on workout in your hectic day, try indoor walking or brisk walking around the neighborhood. Other moderate-intensity workouts can be biking, gardening or, to make exercising more fun, dancing!

Get adequate quality sleep

Achieving quality sleep regularly helps lower your blood pressure. Sleep deprivation has long-lasting effects, particularly on your heart. Poor-quality and lack of sleep raises your blood pressure, and it can stay high for a longer period of time.

To further promote proactive heart health management this Heart Month, Omron is teaming up with Southstar Drug and other participating drug stores to offer a discount of less P250 for every purchase of the HEM-7120. This promo will run from 15 February to 31 March.

In addition, Omron is proud to partner with Watsons for its "Let's Talk Wellness," a series dedicated to promoting various aspects of health and wellness, including heart health. To take advantage of this exclusive promotion and learn more heart-healthy tips, visit your nearest participating drugstore or visit Omronhealthcare-ap.com/ph.