Iloilo City: A medical expert urged women to monitor heart health during midlife, a crucial period for early intervention to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In her discussion on cardiovascular issues during menopause on Saturday, part of the midyear convention of the Philippine Heart Association – Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC) held in Iloilo City, Dr. Lourdes Ella Santos highlighted the rising risk of CVD, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), after menopause.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Santos emphasized the notable increase in cardiovascular risk after menopause. While premenopausal women have a lower risk, the incidence of heart disease among women becomes equal to that of men once they reach menopause. She noted that for every 40 men who had a heart attack, one pre-menopausal woman experiences the same. However, upon reaching menopause, this ratio shifts to 1:3, meaning for every three men who have a heart attack, one woman does as well.
Dr. Santos explained that the heightened risk is due to hormonal changes, cautioning that the risk doesn’t start at menopause but begins increasing five to ten years prior, during the transition phase when menstruation becomes irregular. As a preventive cardiologist, she advised women to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle before menopause, which includes refraining from smoking, controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, and sugar, and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
While diet and lifestyle changes are primary defenses, Dr. Santos acknowledged that some women might need medical therapy if additional risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension are present. The PHA midyear convention gathered over 400 health professionals, mainly cardiologists from Western Visayas, to discuss the latest guidelines in cardiology.
In a separate media briefing, PHA vice president Dr. Walid Amil stated that the convention focused on recent cardiology guidelines and topics impactful to their practice. He highlighted that heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the country, with genetic predisposition and poor lifestyle as primary culprits. Dr. Amil noted that cardiovascular diseases, which include hypertension and strokes, are increasingly affecting younger patients, with cases now appearing in individuals as young as their 20s.
Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that the top three causes of death in the country during the first semester of 2024 were ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases, with ischemic heart disease accounting for 19.9 percent of total deaths nationwide. The PHA noted this was also the leading cause of death during the same period in 2023.
Dr. Amil advised regular medical check-ups, recommending blood chemistry tests every six months or annually once individuals reach 30. For those with a genetic predisposition and unhealthy lifestyle habits, he stressed the importance of regular doctor visits and compliance with medical advice.
