BAGUIO CITY – A healthy heart is being advocated by medical experts.
In the season of love, Dr. Carlo Pangwi, cardiologist at the City Health Services Office (CHSO), stressed February is not just for romance, but also about National Heart Health Month.
“Ang sakit sa puso ay traydor in a sense okay ka ngayon, pwede ka mamatay, matumba, depende sa physiology, nakakatakot na symptom ay bigla [heart attack],” Pangwi said, revealing the city is seeing patients as young as 21 years old, citing the case of a 21-year-old female with no vices who recently suffered from a heart attack.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that the top three causes of death in the country from January to July of 2025 were ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases, consistent with the same period in 2024.
Ischemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death with 66,312 cases, accounting for 19.8 percent of the total deaths nationwide in 2025. Neoplasms followed as the second leading cause with 38,372 deaths, representing 11.5 percent of the total.
Cerebrovascular diseases ranked third with 33,209 recorded cases, constituting 9.9 percent of the total deaths. Pneumonia emerged as the fourth leading cause of death with 22,330 cases (6.7%), while diabetes mellitus ranked fifth with 20,421 deaths (6.1%).
Pangwi explained that being active does not offer total immunity, as he stated that “not all diseases arise from a sedentary lifestyle.” The risk bracket depends on the specific type of heart disease. However, if a person has a genetic predisposition, they may still develop a condition regardless of their activity level.
Ongoing research at Baguio General Hospital, linked with the Philippine Heart Center, is currently investigating why younger demographics are becoming more susceptible. Potential triggers being studied include environmental factors, vaping, and genetics.
Residents are encouraged to listen to their bodies and visit local health centers for early screening to ensure a long and healthy life with their loved ones.
“I’m sure lahat tayo informed eh kasi information age na tayo. Marami tayong impormasyon. Pero marami rito ay hindi validated, marami dito ay hindi tama. Mas magandang maging aware and malaking bearing or responsibility ang social media dito. Kailangan i-verify ang sources kasi maraming sources na hindi credible.” Maria Elena Catajan with reports from Angela Dawn Gonzales, UP Baguio Intern