Free tests, services for heart diseases
Gov’t health centers offer free assessment for non-communicable diseases, among others
TO PREVENT deaths caused by heart diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) 7 urged those who are at risk of ailments to avail themselves of free medical tests and treatment in health centers.
Screening for blood sugar and cholesterol level, urine test, blood pressure and weight-taking, as well as management and treatment of hypertension and diabetes, are just among the free services in the barangay and rural health centers.
Dr. Jeanette Cortes, head of the non-communicable diseases section of DOH 7, said cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease, aeortic disease and stroke can be prevented if one adopts a healthy lifestyle and undergoes regular checkups.
Lifestyle change
Those with risk factors like high-fat diet, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, chronic stress, tobacco use and alcohol intake, or those with a family history of heart ailments, have higher chances of getting the disease and should undergo tests, she said.
“”Infectious diseases are no longer the epidemic. It’s the heart diseases that are the new epidemic
Dr. Jeanette Cortes, head of the noncommunicable disease section of DOH 7, says heart diseases are the new epidemic in the new millennium, adding that patients are getting younger
Number of deaths attributed to heart diseases up
in the new millennium,” Cortes said, noting that heart diseases have been affecting younger individuals in recent years.
She attributed this to the change in lifestyle.
“Those who suffer from heart ailments are getting younger because of the change of lifestyle brought about by modernization and urbanization, including environmental factors and technology,” she said during the Association of Government Information Officers forum yesterday.
For example, Cortes said, constant use of gadgets for social networking and online gaming has reduced the physical activities of a person, which contributes to poor health.
Some also prefer to eat junk food in fast-food restaurants due to their busy schedule, rather than prepare home-cooked vegetables and meals that are less fatty and salty.
“It’s easy to prevent heart diseases by exercis- ing and having a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables… the bottom line is to have a change of lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle,” said Cortes.
The call for a healthy lifestyle came as DOH 7 reported an increase in the number of deaths due to diseases of the heart and circulatory system, from 5,092 in 2012 to 5,788 in 2013.
Health screening
More people were also reported to have suffered from hypertension in 2013, with 32,778 cases, compared to 30,656 cases in the previous year.
But Cortes said the number may be higher since not all those with heart diseases have gone to the health centers or hospitals for a checkup.
Malyn Fernandez, Health and Lifestyle Program coordinator of DOH 7, said those who suspect they may be suffering from any heart disease can go to their health center for an assessment, which involves taking of blood pressure, weight and body mass index and their family’s health history.
“If the physician sees that you have the risk factors, then you can be screened for blood sugar and cholesterol level, which is free of charge in the health centers. The government also provides free management and treatment of hypertension and diabetes,” she said.