In Antique, 325 died from a heart attack, 294 from stroke, 278 from hypertensive heart disease, 245 from cancer, 144 from diabetes, 136 from COPD, 135 from hypertension, and 86 from renal diseases.

PHO Health Education and Promotion Officer Irene R. Duldoco, in a radio program on February 15, said that CVDs have led to more deaths than all types of cancer combined, thus her emphasis on the need to celebrate the Philippine Heart Month (PHM) to raise more awareness on how to keep one’s heart healthy.

With the theme “Gulay at Prutas Araw-arawin; Matamis, Mamantika, at Maalat 

She added that those with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, or a lifestyle with a lot of sitting or lying down with little to no exercise, need to move more frequently to avoid health risks.

Other contributing factors in acquiring non-communicable diseases include cigarette smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, stress, and even old age.  

Apart from a balanced diet, Duldoco cited eight hours of sleep daily, regular physical activities, and a positive outlook in life as means to maintain and achieve a healthy body. (AAL/BPS/PIA Antique/Photo Courtesy of Antique Provincial Health Office)