The month of February is definitely about love. We express our affection for the people whom we love through flowers, sweet letters, and chocolates.

While it is good to give love, the month of February is also a reminder to love ourselves by keeping our hearts strong, active, and healthy.

In observance of the Philippine Heart Month which was declared by virtue of Proclamation No. 1096, Filipinos are informed on various heart diseases as serious health concern of all ages.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), heart diseases are among the leading causes of death in the country.

That is why awareness campaigns are being done by medical experts to prevent occurrence of such diseases.

In an interview at Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Ilocos Norte’s “PIA Ilocandia Virtual Presser”, Dr. Marie Cris Pahinag, cardiologist from the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) discussed this year’s theme for the heart month observance.

“This year, ang ating tema for the heart month ay ‘Masustansyang diet, active lifestyle, at ehersisyo para sa healthy na puso.’ We should be bisyo-free para ang heart and mind ay healthy,” said Pahinag.

According to Pahinag, one way of lessening the risks of cardiovascular diseases is to quit smoking as this is directly linked to critical illnesses.

“Even a second-hand smoker is at risk of having heart disease kasi nga if you are continuously exposed to that bad habit, parang ikaw na rin ay nakakakuha ng bad things na nakukuha ng nag-iismoke din po which is heart disease. Kaya naman, no to second-hand smoking,” explained Pahinag.

If surrounded by smokers in public places, Pahinag said non-smokers may avoid them to prevent exposure to bad effects of smoking.

Another way to educate people of keeping their hearts healthy is to remember the 5-2-1-0-0 heart code.

This stands for five (5) servings of vegetable and fruits, maximum of two (2) hours of screen time, one (1) hour of moderate physical activity preferably daily or at least four days a week, zero (0) soda or sugar-sweetened drinks, and zero (0) smoking.

Pahinag told listeners and viewers during the virtual presser to take the heart code as a guide for a healthy lifestyle toward healthy heart and mind.

Meanwhile, the cardiologist said that MMMHMC is fully equipped with facilities and equipment to treat patients with cardiovascular diseases.

“We are the only hospital in the province equipped with a catheterization laboratory,” said Pahinag.

The said laboratory is an examination room where “several types of tests and procedures like ablation, angiogram, angioplasty, implantation of pacemakers are performed.”

Indeed, prevention is better than cure. Just as the heart gets broken, it also feels pain when not treated right.

Let us not break our hearts by our bad habits, but let us care and love our hearts with proper diet, exercise, and active lifestyle. (JCR/MJTAB, PIA Ilocos Norte)