PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso: AED LAW: POTENT BOOSTER FOR CPR-READY PH

 

What exactly is a restart a heart day?  It is a day that reminds everyone of the invaluable benefit of understanding how to restart a stopped heart, and anyone may acquire basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and potentially save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest. 

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global health issue that can occur to anybody when the heart's electrical activity beats rapidly and then stops abruptly. SCA can be caused by a heart attack.

The day's goal is to teach more people what to do if someone collapses and stops breathing. Calling 999, performing CPR, and using a defibrillator, if one is available, are three of the most crucial, immediate things to take.

Usapang Puso sa Puso hosts Dr. Robspierre Reyes and Dr. Francis Lavapie

Heart health advocates gain ground but fight for Trans Fat-free PH is on

 

They say a good start is half the battle, and with Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 2021-0039 going into effect on June 19, 2023, the campaign to eliminate industrially manufactured trans fatty acids is off to a solid start acids (iTFA) in the country has reached a watershed moment.

Enacted two years ago, AO 2021-0039 mandated food manufacturers to eliminate iTFA from their pre-  packaged and processsed products, with this policy coming to fruition on the 19th. Following the DOH's iTFA ban, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) continues to be aggressive in the ongoing campaign for a Trans Fat-free nation, increasing awareness about the cardiovascular threat. On June 28, PHA Director III and Advocacy Committee Chair Dr. Luigi Segundo presented its weekly Usapang Puso sa Puso webinar.

Dr. Louella Santos, cardiologist and lipidologist and president of the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society, explained the nature of cholesterol as well as the dangers of iTFA.

Total cholesterol is measured via a blood test and consists of three components: triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

“Triglycerides come from sugar, flour, white rice, bread, and desserts to name a few. HDL is good cholesterol, LDL is bad cholesterol or Lechon de Leche, which we avoid because it clogs our arteries and could lead to either a heart attack or stroke.”

Citing it as the scariest type of fat, Trans Fats are produced by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils in order to extend the shelflife of products, thus the terms “hydrogenated oils” and “partially hydrogenated oils” seen in the ingredients of some products indicate the presence of TF.

Santos went on to say that foods strong in mono or polyunsaturated fats are what raise HDL levels, and that it is critical to get a lipid profile early on because high cholesterol is silent, appearing in symptoms such as fatigue.

Blockages can be fatal. Segundo, who echoed the importance of risk factor screening, stated that even if you don't feel anything out of the norm, getting tested is critical for preventative treatment.

He also stated that the PHA's Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy, 52100 (five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, no more than 2 grams of salt, an hour of exercise per day, no smoking, and no sugary drinks) is a feasible option. means of keeping the risk variables at bay.

“Risk prevention is comprehensive. 52100 is important, and even if cholesterol isn’t mentioned, 52100 addresses cholesterol issues through a healthy lifestyle.”

As a public interest group, ImagineLaw has been advocating for the total eradication of Trans Fat in the country, and has partnered with the PHA, government, and other Civil Service Organizations (CSOs) in their campaign.

Project Manager for the Trans Fat Elimination initiative Atty. Mikhail Millan spoke of how it was a “multi-sectoral effort” that led to the current ban. However, while the DOH AO has come to fruition, legislation that would completely outlaw TFs in the Philippines, remains under scrutiny in Congress and the Senate.

Both Senate Bill 1286 and House Bill 8128 (Trans Fat-Free Philippine Act) remain pending in Senate Committees. Atty. Milan referred to the ban on iTFA as “a victory for the Filipino Heart”, while the launching of the Bantay Kontra Trans Fat Network initiative of health advocates was also announced with the aim of monitoring compliance with the ban. He also called on all Filipinos to join in the efforts to enforce AO 2021-0039 by reporting any products or manufacturers that deviate.

“Two ways to report. The official one is on the FDA website for any violations, but we can also visit Trans Fat-Free Philippines on FB, to act as a hotline for any reports. Since June 19, we’ve received a lot of reports of possible violations. We need three things to send sa FB: name of store and city or municipality where it was bought, date, clear pic of the brand and the nutrient label of the product.”

For Segundo, a country free from the dangers of Trans Fat is a goal that everyone must come together to achieve; a vision that is all-encompassing.

Hypertension for Adults, Teens and Kids: An alarming pandemic among Filipinos

 

Dr. Don Robespierre C. Reyes hosted the 4th Presyon edition webinar organized by the Philippine Heart Association with Corrbridge as sponsor

I recently found out I am hypertensive stage 2, meaning I am at high risk for coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. I will need to have my blood pressure checked regularly and follow a strict regimen that will likely include dietary changes, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

I never even thought I had it because I wasn’t even aware of its symptoms. I knew I had diabetes mellitus type 2, but I didn’t know it could also lead to hypertension. Had it not been for my desire to get vaccinated against COVID-19, I wouldn’t have visited my cardiologist. And thus, I’ve found out I was hypertensive and I was given maintenance medicines to keep my blood pressure down.  I was given meds that have the powerful combination of amlodiphine + losartan in one tablet. 

That’s why I was glad when I had been invited along with other bloggers to listen, learn and attend the recent Presyon 4 Webinar organized by the Philippine Heart Association [PHA]. The webinar proved to be very informative especially with resource speakers led by Dr. Jorge A. Sison, past president of the PHA, had discussed the prevalence of hypertension in the country. He also emphasized the importance of awareness, treatment, compliance, and BP control rates. Dr. Sison mentioned that most of the time, we Filipinos would take things for granted, hence, we’d find out about our heart’s condition with 58% end-organ damage. What we often overlook is that stroke is highly related to uncontrolled hypertension, microvasculopathy, risk factors, and poor compliance. According to Dr. Sison, hypertension-related stroke was the most common cause of mortality among the hospital-based population [READ: Uncontrolled BP and poor compliance]

It was alarming to note that amongst the adult population above 18 years old, there were 1,399 males and 1,398 females surveyed. While pediatric population [those from 12-18 years old] has 329 males and 312 females suffering from hypertension. Among the hypertensives, about 25% answered that they have their blood pressure checked only at the comforts of their own homes. Thus, the prevalence of hypertension in the Philippines among adults is 37% [M:52% F: 48%] where 19% are very much aware of their condition and 18% are unaware. The prevalence of hypertension among adolescents is 5% [M: 68% F: 32%] And sadly, none is receiving any treatment. Among adult hypertensives, the treatment rate is 67%, compliance is 87% and BP control rate is 36%. The most common drug used in the country is ARB. And 78% of hypertensives are on monotherapy with the highest compliance among beta-blocker users. Adult hypertensives have higher BMI, waist circumference, and central obesity rate. End organ surveillance showed abnormal ECG in 57%, abnormal ABI in 36%, and microalbuminuria in 11.5% in adult hypertensives. 

"Get Me an AED" for CPR-ReadyPH Infomercial Launch

The stories are all too familiar – someone suffers a cardiac arrest and an AED was not on site to help revive the individual. In fact, if it had not been for what had happened to basketball hardcourt celebrity Avelino "Samboy" Lim back in 2014, perhaps the public wouldn't even be aware of its need.  While most of the developing countries require that their schools, airports, and any high-traffic places are equipped with AEDs, the Philippines still had a lot of things to make it happen. If only we had an AED available during Samboy Lim's attack, he would've been in a better health condition. It was a good thing that Basketball coach turned politician former Pampanga Rep. Yeng Guiao was present when Lim collapsed. He then had the initiative to author file a bill that's now approved and dubbed as "Samboy Lim" Law which aims to teach basic life support training in schools act in public and private schools. 

When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 7% to 10% for each minute that passes without defibrillation. AEDs make it possible for more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. According to studies, 90% of the time, AEDs are able to detect a rhythm that should be defibrillated – and 95% they can detect when a rhythm should not be defibrillated. AED’s can be made part of emergency response programs that also include rapid use of 9-1-1 and prompt delivery of CPR. All three of these activities are vital to improving survival from cardiac arrest.

What is an AED?

AED First Aid tools

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks a person’s heart rhythm. It can recognize a rhythm that requires shock, and if needed, send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.

Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and then administer a shock if needed. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.