Men’s Heart Health
How to avoid risk factors
Awareness: CPR Ready Philippines 2021
In the Philippines, most men tend to neglect proper heart health care. They may not be conscious of the risk factors or they just don’t complain. They may look fit and robust, but some men act like the man that they are. And these mental tendencies others have, could cause them serious illness in the long run. In some cases, a person can develop heart problems without experiencing any noticeable indications. Us, as family members should also be concerned about the males around us.
June is men’s health month, in line with heart health tips, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), sponsored by Corbridge, organized “Puso ni Daddy: Sinlakas Pa Ba ng Haligi?” A Father’s Day Special episode of their Usapang Puso sa Puso.
The webinar I have attended focuses on Filipino men on how to take care of their heart health. Men are prone to heart-related diseases, in this regard the mortality rate of men is said to be higher than women. Heart disease is one of the most common health problems that men face. By knowing some of the signs and symptoms of heart disease, they may be able to reduce their risk of developing serious complications, such as a heart attack.
Men’s Heart Health – how to avoid risk factors
Go see a doctor. Why do some men disregard seeing a doctor for check ups? Yes there may be financial constraints, but there should be no excuse. Public health clinics are provided for the people. Top argument they claim is that they are well and normal. Regular annual check ups are important to prevent possible health danger. Preliminary or advance detection of symptoms are actually a good sign for men to take care of themselves. In men’s lingo, they call it overhaul, they often do it to their vehicles. Maintenance check ups also apply to our bodies.
Don’t self-medicate. Before buying over-the -counter medicines, do check with your doctor. Ask an expert’s advice and they will likely prescribe the ideal meds for your body’s condition. For hypertensives patients, continue medication, follow up on doctor’s regular check up.
There was a concern discussed during the webinar regarding the use of Losartan, a medication for high-blood that became an issue with COVID-19. The physicians advised not to believe any viral videos and that they should continue their medication. Losartan and other similar medicines are safe and have a good effect on kidney, heart and blood pressure.
Maintain a normal blood pressure. A normal BP range is 120/80. Hypertensives should keep maintenance to avoid fluctuation and kidney damage. Have a pill box to organize your meds routine.
Monitor blood pressure and lifestyle to prevent yourself from hypertension. As told above, check your BP on a regular basis. Men and women who are into physical activities are advised to check their BP ideally after an hour to get the actual normal heart rate. According to Dr. Jorge A. Sison, “the perfect gadget to monitor blood pressure is the digital device for the arm.” Also, “stop smoking, or should not smoke at all.”
Heart attacks are twice as common in men. Cardiologists advised to start maintenance check ups when you reach your late 20’s.
Although, research said “Experts still aren’t sure why heart attacks are more common in men than in women. But differences in risk factors (such as high cholesterol) do not explain the contrast, new research suggests.
The study included nearly 34,000 people (about half of whom were women) in Norway who had a heart attack between 1979 and 2012. Researchers found that throughout life, men were about twice as likely as women to have a heart attack. That higher risk persisted even after they accounted for traditional risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index, and physical activity.”
(Throughout life, heart attacks are twice as common in men than women, 2016).
Get into fitness. For middle aged men or fathers in general, how safe are competitive sports? They are dangerous to those who are hypertensives, even so whether you have hypertension or not, do check with your health care provider before starting any sports or exercise program. Getting regular exercise when you have heart disease is important. Sport fitness can make your heart muscle stronger. It may also help you be more active without chest pain or other symptoms. Exercise may help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you have diabetes, it can help you control your blood sugar. Always remember to pace yourself and know your limits. These moves can help you lose weight. You will also feel better.
I recently watched a CNN Philippines exercise series, that episode featured Sonny Orallo of Active Aging PH, the routines were termed as “The Prep”, it was a series of exercises from warm up, main exercises, and the cool down tailored for middle-aged adults (40-59 years old). His support group also has a separate exercise routine for the older population (60 and older). Likewise, the coach advised everyone to talk with your doctor first before getting into any physical activities.
I also learned from the fitness group I joined with the UP CHK Kinetika coaches to exercise at your own pace. Catch your breath and listen to your body. The exercises impart the proper form of breathing, the importance of mind-body exercises and to make it a habit to do even a 3-minute movement, we call it “galaw-galaw”. These exercises we had last summer involved fitness dance and flexibility, total body workout, core and stability exercises, and circuit training.
This is where we connect and learn from each other how to improve our quality of life as we go through the stages of aging.
How to avoid heart disease?
Men should eliminate smoking and eat healthy foods. For men, start changing your lifestyle to help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack.
Fact check
From the webinar, PHA surveyed 292 respondents (Fathers 25 – 60 years old), 66% had a check up and knew blood pressure within 1 year and 33% more than a year ago. Only 1% had not.
Has the pandemic affected your check-up?
82% responded with difficulty to have check up because of COVID-19 scare going to clinics/tight schedules of their doctors, while 11% had regular check up and 7% had not gone for check ups
Percentage of fathers who are into sports
49% responded that they play less than once/week, 36% play at least once a week and 15% do not play sports at all.
Has the pandemic affected your schedule of playing sports?
78% responded with difficulty to play due to quarantine restrictions/change in schedule, 6% regularly play and 16% do not play at all.
Awareness: CPR Ready Philippines 2021
CPR ready Philippines, CPR ready cities, CPR ready communities
What can we do to prevent strokes and terminal heart attacks?
PHA and other government units are campaigning for the installation of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in public places such as transport terminals, airports, parks, markets, malls, churches and work places for fast public access.
Why is it important? When the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, correct CPR response and proper use of AED brings back the electricity. CPR increases the chance to survive by 33% and AED triples the chance of survival. The Philippines needs to level up its CPR trainings, have basic knowledge on how to use AED. Equipped people with basic know-how to carry out CPR. Engage the public by informing them with the importance of identifying sudden cardiac arrest, we may not be a medical practitioner, but we can be part of the system on how to respond in this kind of emergency situation because CPR and AED will save lives.
How to use the device?
Install AED device
Put the AED pads on the upper and lower chest
Wait for the digital voice, push the shock button
Do chest compressions
Based on the report from PHA, kids as young as 8 can do CPR and have access to AED in countries from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The campaign said “They made it, there’s no reason why we can’t.”
Access informative heart health discussions and forums by following the PHA Facebook page and participate from their live webinars on heart prevention and awareness through Usapang Puso sa Puso, hosted by Dr. Luigi Segundo and Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes.You may also check out their website at https://www.philheart.org/
#cprreadyphilippines
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References:
Taylor, M. and Matthews, M. (2019, January 31). 7 Warning Signs That You May Be at Risk of a Heart Attack. Retrieved July 2021, from Men’s Health: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19547054/signs-heart-attack-in-future/
JAMA Internal Medicine. September 12, 2016.
Harvard Health Publishing. November 8, 2016. Throughout life, heart attacks are twice as common in men than women. Retrieved July 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/throughout-life-heart-attacks-are-twice-as-common-in-men-than-women
Medline Plus. July 30, 2020. Being active when you have heart disease. Retrieved July 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000094.htm
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