The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) raised awareness on heart diseases and urged the public to seek early heart care services from medical experts during a livestream session program on Thursday, February 8.
In a special episode of BHW Me: Be Healthy with Me through a Facebook live session, Cardiologist Dr. Jemuel Chavez of Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), brought his expertise and personal insights in answering some heart-related questions addressed by the online viewers.
“Hindi naman natin guarantee lagi na ‘ay wala nerbyos lang ‘yan’ or kinakabahan ka lang kasi pwede rin namang may problema so it’s always better to be one step ahead. Ma-evaluate natin ‘yun kasi sometimes (kahit) nerbyos lang ‘yan but it can also be an early symptom of having a heart disease,” Chavez expressed.
He also highlighted the significance of understanding the implications of heart disease, which according to him, is one of the leading causes of comorbid illnesses and mortality, particularly in Bicol.
“There will be risk factors before you develop a certain heart disease; some of these are modifiable, which we can get from our daily routines, while others are nonmodifiable, which we may inherit from our families and if not controlled, may lead to heart disease,” he explained.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of seeking advice from medical experts rather than solely relying on self-diagnosis when evaluating cardiovascular health.
“I think it is advisable to seek consultation once you feel (an early) symptoms like chest discomfort, nervousness, or faster heartbeats than usual,” he stated.
Said program, hosted by Dr. Monrey Isaiah Mancilla and Nowell Anne Brizuela, was part of the celebration for National Heart’s Month and aimed to feed the online community with additional information on a variety of topics from leading professionals in the fields of cardiology, nutrition, fitness, and stress management. I Lyzha Mae Agnote