WHAT CAN BREAK A YOUNG HEART?

MATTERS of the heart know no age—at least medically speaking. Heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases are common among the elderly that they seem inevitable, but these illnesses can actually affect young adults, as well.

In the recent study published by the Canadian Medical Association, cardiovascular diseases and stroke are still among the leading causes of death worldwide—where onethird of heart attacks, 25 percent of strokes, and 40 percent of cardiac arrests occur in people of working age and those below 65.

A top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (www.makatimed.net.ph) gives us the early signs of heart diseases that you should never ignore. Recognizing these symptoms early is important to get the appropriate treatment right away which can save your life.

Aside from age and other genetic factors, unhealthy lifestyle choices also play a big role in developing heart diseases despite the growing health and wellness trends in today’s generation. “While symptoms like chest pain or weakness are quite common, there are subtle signs that can be hardly noticed,” says Mary Milagros D. Uy, MD of MakatiMed’s Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine.

■ UNCOMFORTABLE PRESSURE, FULLNESS OR PAIN IN THE CHEST AREA. If you have a blocked artery, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in the center or left side of your chest area. This sudden feeling can last for a few minutes, go away and then return. If the pain continues for more than five minutes, immediately seek help and go to the hospital.

■ NOTICEABLE SORENESS OR DISCOMFORT IN YOUR ARMS, BACK, JAW AND ABDOMINAL AREA. While chest pain is an obvious sign, arm, shoulder or back pain that waxes and wanes can also be an indicator of a possible heart attack caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles.

■ UNEXPLAINED FATIGUE, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND COLD SWEAT. If you are suddenly experiencing unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, and cold sweat especially if you are diabetic, don’t be afraid to see a doctor and request for an electrocardiogram, or ECG, which can detect a possible heart attack. “Women and diabetics may have a typical manifestation of heart attack,” says Uy.

Prevention is the best way to avoid cardiovascular diseases whatever season of life you are in, so start nurturing your heart by improving your lifestyle and quitting unhealthy habits. Be physically active and healthy, jump-start an exercise program, change your family’s diet and have regular checkups with your doctor to help you improve your overall health. AXA PHILIPPINES HOLDS ‘I BOUNCE FOR HEALTH’ CHALLENGE

PARTICIPANTS in the recent Color Manila Run took part in the fun-filled “I Bounce for Health” challenge staged by AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies and one of the event’s major sponsors.

Challenge participants were asked to jump on a trampoline and post on social media how they planned to jump-start their health journey to win a free AXA personal accident insurance card worth P50,000 in insurance coverage for a year. The contestant who made the most number of trampoline jumps received an additional prize. The challenge was part of the company’s thrust to promote health and fitness, and to be a partner for health for families and young people through insurance products. Photo shows AXA Philippines Segment Director for Retail Proposition Grace Mallabo (left) with Brand and Digital Marketing Director Alma Gruenberg-Aldip (right), and challenge winner Chrenz Garin.