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World Heart Day 2023 encourages physical activities and walking


 


The lead agency of the World Heart Day (WHD) celebration in the country, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) underscored the importance of physical activities to abate the surge of cardio vascular diseases (CVDs) in the country through the September 28, 2023, Usapang Puso sa Puso online forum titled “Use Heart to Know Heart.”

 

The PHA emphasized the maximum benefits and importance of walking: “One of the best simple exercises to live healthier ang walking. Madali lang gawin araw-araw at wala namang kailangan na equipment or facilities,” said Dr. Walid Amil, PHA secretary, and WHD 2023 chair/UPP moderator.

 

An entry to PHA's poster-making contest on WHD 2023

PHA President Dr. Ronald Cuyco’s short but sweet message: “regardless of one’s age, walking is still the best exercise”. Encapsulating the PHA’s WHD sentiment, he quipped “isa lang ang aming mensahe dito: Use Heart, Know Heart; galaw-galaw para sa puso.”

 

Dr. Michelle Pipo, a cardiac rehabilitation specialist, explained that exercise is structured, repetitive, and purposeful, the goal of which is to make the individual involved become fit.

 

“Any activity is beneficial. We need to do these at least 30 minutes every day. And it should be combined with resistance exercises, like barbells or dumbbells. We can also use our own body; planking is an example of isometric resistance exercise.”

Another powerful poster entry for WHD 2023

 

For people who do not have the time for regular exercise, “installments” that total up to 30 minutes are better than not having any form of physical activity.

 

 “As long as it’s within the day. What we’re advocating is that you find an exercise that fits you best based on your physical condition and circumstance” Pipo clarified.

 

Studies have indicated that walking as a physical activity is not only an accessible means for most sedentary individuals but is also one that typically poses little risk for injury, making it a more sustainable practice as well. 

 

“We are encouraging people to move. Even just 30 minutes is good, but you want to target even more than that. As for the 10,000steps, it is the hope to reach that many. Clinical studies show that as low as 6,000 may reduce CV risks, but of course, if you can go higher then you will have additional reductions. Don’t limit yourself. The greater the exercise, the greater the risk reduction” PHA Director III and Advocacy Chair Dr. Louella Santos explained.

 

“An increased heart rate during walking and exercise improves blood flow lowers bad cholesterol levels and cuts CV risks,” Dr. Amil concluded.

 

CVD is still the leading cause of mortality globally. Around 620 million people are living with heart and circulatory diseases or CVDs across the world with 20.5 million recorded deaths in 2021, according to the World Heart Federation.

 

Meanwhile, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in 2022, the leading causes of death in the country were ischemic heart diseases. The other top two causes of mortality were neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases.

 

WHD celebrations are held annually to promote awareness on healthy living.

 

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