Cardiovascular Disease Affects 1 in 6 Filipinos - Here Are The Possible Reasons Why

A 2020 report said that Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is associated with about 20% of total deaths and 35% of premature deaths, affecting about 1 in 6 Filipinos¹. And these figures might still be true, considering the fact that from January to November of 2021, the leading cause of death in the Philippines is Coronary Heart Disease². Here’s what you need to know about heart health among Filipinos. 

World Health Organization: Heart Disease in PH is the Worst in Southeast Asia³

In 2020, the World Health Organization reported that the Philippines’ 2019 records regarding heart disease are the worst among Southeast Asian nations. That record showed that 120 out of every 100,000 Filipinos died of ischemic or coronary heart disease. That’s significantly higher than the 2015 record of 103 per 100,000 Filipinos. 

Coronary Heart Disease: The Leading Cause of Death in the Philippines²

At the height of the pandemic in 2021, one might think that COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among Filipinos in that period. But, records say it was more to do with heart health. 

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), coronary heart disease or CHD, a type of cardiovascular disease involving clogged arteries, was the leading cause of death from January to November of 2021. 

Almost 18% of deaths were due to ischemic heart disease, which pertains to heart problems where the heart receives less oxygen due to narrowed (clogged) arteries. 

But, what are the possible reasons why heart disease remains to be the leading cause of death among Filipinos?

Factors That Increase the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Filipinos⁴

What factors can negatively impact the heart health of Filipinos? A small study conducted in San Francisco, California, titled Cardiovascular Risk in the Filipino Community, asked Filipino participants about the factors that increase their risk for cardiovascular disease. They identified the following:

Smoking

Participants admitted that while they know that cigarette smoking is bad for heart health. Still, they accept it as a social norm. They also recognize that smoking is a big problem among Filipino youth. 

Stress

Stress, according to the participants, can cause them to partake in unhealthy habits. These habits include cigarette smoking as well as eating comfort foods that may be high in fat and sodium. 

Dietary Habits

According to the participants, traditional Filipino cuisine is naturally high in salt. Among the common ingredients are patis (fish sauce), soy sauce, and bagoong (shrimp paste). Of course, there’s also the Filipinos’ affinity to fried foods, like lumpiang shanghai, chicharon, crispy pata, lechon, fried fish, and fried chicken. 

Lack of Physical Activity Due to Lack of Time

The participants in the study said that the lack of time becomes a barrier to becoming physically active. On top of time constraints, they also identified fatigue and illness as barriers to physical activity. 

Socioeconomic Status

Finally, the participants prioritized their socioeconomic needs over their personal health. This predisposes them to dismiss their health and devote less time to heart health improvement. Also, they have the tendency to react to acute health issues rather than focus on prevention. 

On top of these self-identified risk factors, let’s not forget that several diseases commonly affecting Filipinos can also predispose a person to poor heart health. These include hypertension and diabetes, which, according to records, are also among the leading causes of death in the country. There’s also obesity, which affects millions of Filipinos. 

Learn more about Coronary Artery Disease here.