"Listen to your heart" is often heard when making decisions, which is true metaphorically or realistically speaking.
Based on the World Heart Federation, about 18.6 million individuals every year die from cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 31 percent of worldwide fatalities.
The heart is one the most overworked organs of the body to keep a person alive, which makes early detection and prevention of heart disease essential in maintaining good health.
In the Philippines, 345 Filipinos die of heart disease daily. There is also a spike in the prevalence of CVDs (diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and stroke) among the younger set due to unhealthy health habits, according to the Department of Health.
High-fat, salt and sugar diet, smoking and vaping, as well as a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise are the culprits of cardiovascular disease.
In order to address these issues among Filipinos, during the celebration of the World Heart Day last 29 September, the Philippine Heart Association supported the re-filed transfat bill and urged the public to invest in heart health.
One of the steps that the organization foresees is snowballing the bills on increased taxes on "sin" products like sugared drinks, cigarettes, and vaping products; and tobacco as well the banning of artificial trans fatty acids because of their adverse health effects.
With the theme "Use Heart for Every Heart," the Philippine Heart Association urged to promote a healthy lifestyle, which included a talk about the negative effects of smoking and having a balanced diet.
PHA Secretary Dr. Rodney Jimenez, concurrent WHD 2022 chair, said, "We will constantly urge you to quit smoking or vaping or perish the thought of trying it because it is not just hazardous to the lungs and heart, but to other body organs."
Among the speakers was Dr. Jonray Magallanes, a pulmonologist, who shared that smokers don't only damage their lungs but are also prone to "cancer, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure."
"The primary smoker inhales the bigger particles of fumes while the people exposed to him/her who get to inhale the smaller particles can suffer from a heart attack," he added.
With the transfat bill, the organization aims to raise awareness among Filipinos on the importance of a healthy lifestyle as the top cause of death in the Philippines is heart attack.