The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) recently held its 10th edition of "Usapang Puso sa Puso" (Heart to Heart Talk). It is one of the many informative programs of the association where people can watch and learn. In this edition, the program discusses the heart health of our fathers, thus, titled "Puso Ni Daddy Sintigas pa ba ng Haligi?" Aside from the discussion, it also aims to educate people entirely about heart issues and problems. Experts also share their insights and practices on how to prevent having heart problems. Panelists from different expertise were present to share their knowledge about the subject matter, namely, Dr. Jorge Sison, Dr. Badette Arevalo, and Dr. Benjamin Quito. Mayor Richard Gomez, an advocate of CPR, is also part of the panel but was on official business.

There were questions relating to heart problems were raised in the program, and our panel of experts addressed them accordingly. Aside from their insights about the subject matter, they were also generous enough to share some of the practices they believe can help prevent heart problems.

What interests me more was the ways to know or detect symptoms or changes in our body that contributes to developing heart problems or if we're having problems already with our heart. So, what are the things to watch out for us to know if we're at risk of having a heart problem or already experiencing a heart problem?

• 1. If you're having difficulty breathing with a few activities.
• 2. Sudden unexplained pain in the chest.
• 3. Obesity, Dad bod, or abdominal obesity can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• 4. Inactivity or no physical activity.
• 5. If with vices like cigarette smoking and drinking. According to Dr. Sison, men are more prone to cardiovascular diseases.

This list is just some of the many things to watch out for to prevent having cardiovascular disease. So, if you're experiencing some of these, maybe it's about time for you to visit your friendly neighborhood doctor for a check-up.

PHA always has programs for the public to give awareness about cardiovascular diseases and how to prevent it. It is the organization's way of helping out in every possible way. So, if you want to know more about its plans and activities, you can visit their website Philippine Heart Association (philheart.org), or their Facebook page Philippine HEART Association

The Philippine Heart Association or PHA presented their conducted research on the prevalence of hypertension among Filipinos. Based on the result of the survey and the figure, it is very alarming. According to them, among the 111 million Filipinos there are 37% of the adults and 4% of the 12-18-year-old age group are hypertensive.

Last June 16, 2021, an online Press Conference was held via zoom to present the 2021 Nationwide Hypertension Survey Results through the organization's "PRESYON 4," the acronym for Philippine Heart Association-Council on Hypertension Report on Study of Hypertension. The background of the report clearly describes that Hypertension in the Philippines has increased in the last two decades, and hypertension-related stroke was the most common cause of mortality.

According to the presentation of Dr. Jorge Sison, Past President of the Philippine Heart Association, Cardiovascular diseases are the biggest pandemic that needs to be addressed aside from the current COVID-19 pandemic. With the number of 17.5 million people who die per year, it is very alarming, it includes heart attacks and strokes. One billion people are at risk for Cardiovascular Diseases because 1.5 billion people today are prone to suffer hypertension.

It is alarming that the number of individuals having hypertension is getting younger and younger each year, the worse part is that the age bracken of these individuals is getting younger.

"We have two pandemics on hand, and this is the bigger pandemic. It's not just about talking of a seasonal pandemic, but this is all year round...," shared by Dr. Jorge Sison.

After listening to the presentation and the question and answer, I learned that I should be more disciplined in taking care of my body and be more mindful of my maintenance medicines. Yes, I also have hypertension from the genes of my father's side. With the PRESYON 4, I was able to associate three words that people can ponder as well. These are Awareness, Treatment, and Implementation.