Hypertension: The Bigger Risk that You Should Be Also Concerned About

The coronavirus has altered our way of life and it continues to affect many of us. As the numbers continue to increase and the statistics now include family and friends who have been sick or lost, we can't help but be worried and afraid of what might happen next. 

However, during the Press Conference by the Philippine Heart Association Council on Hypertension last June 16, I realized that aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a bigger risk than we should also be concerned about. 

"At the moment, we have at least two pandemics, we have the coronavirus and the other one is increasing prevalence rate of blood pressure in the Philippines and we all agree that both need to be contained," says Dr. Don Robespierre C. Reyes, Head of the ER Services UST Hospital, Head, PHA Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Core Group, and the Editor-in-chief of My Heart Ph

If we don't do anything, it is estimated that by 2025, we will have more than 1.5 billion people suffering from hypertension globally and that more than 1.5 billion will be at risk to die because of cardiovascular diseases. 

Thus, it is very important for us to learn more about this and understand our situation. Fortunately, we have organizations like the Philippine Heart Association who continuously look after us and champions the advocacy to fight this dreaded disease. 

After 8 years through the help of the Corbridge Group, we now have updated data and a clearer picture of the current health situation in the country concerning hypertension. The results of this study conducted by the lead investigator, Dr. Jorge A. Sison, Consultant in the Adult Cardiology at the Makati Medical Center and the Past Head of the Cardiology Section, Medical Center Manila can definitely help us move forward, and hopefully, it can also help guide the government in creating a national policy on this matter. 

Here are 7 things you need to know about our current situation: 

• Hypertension Prevalence Rate in the Philippines is at 37% 
• For Western Visayas which includes Bacolod City, from being the lowest in 2013, the prevalence rate has gone up from 13% to 43% in 2021, making us currently number 3 in the country. (Is this because of cansi? LOL) 
• 18% of the total population are unaware that they are hypertensive.
• More younger people now are suffering from hypertension where the hypertension prevalence rate among adolescents (12-18 years old) jumped from 1% to 5%. 
• 67% are taking medication for hypertension but BP control rate is low at 36% 
• Only 25% of hypertensive monitor BP at home, digital BP monitor, the brachial type being the most common. 
• Adult hypertensives have higher BMI, waist circumference, and central obesity rate. 

As you can see the results are not really good thus, it is really important that we do something about it. Here are 7 Simple Tips on How We Can Beat this Bigger Pandemic

1. HAVE THE RIGHT DIET - Include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Mix and match your food and opt for more colorful vegetables. It is also important that we do not overcook our vegetables. 

2. LIMIT GADGET OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE USE - Minimize your use of gadgets or electronic devices to a maximum of 2 hours daily. 

3. EXERCICE - Stay fit and exercise. Allot at least 1 hour per day for your fitness routine. 

4. AVOID SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND SODA - Say no to beverages and soda. Water is still the liquid for our body. 

5. STOP SMOKING - Smoking kills and so does second-hand smoke. If you can't help it, please be mindful not to pass your secondhand smoke to others. 

6. MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE - It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and that includes your children. According to Dr. Aurelia Leus, BP measurement in children is recommended to be done annually starting at 3 years of age. 

7. SEEK YOUR PROFESSIONAL HELP - When in doubt, seek professional help. Ask your doctor. They are the best persons to ask whenever we have health concerns. Do not self-medicate. 

We are at war with these two pandemics but we do not need to lose hope. We can win this fight! We have our trusted doctors and the Philippine Heart Association. All we need to do is listen and do our part. :)

For more tips and important updates, you may check the PHA's website - www.philheart.org

or better yet, follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philheart.org

Book Feature: Seven Faces of Life + Exclusive Author Interview with Caris MB

"And like the moon, we must go through phases of emptiness to feel full again." - Anonymous 

Today's book feature is special because this book is actually scheduled to be launched in  August however, we'd like you to be one of the first to know about it! 

Seven Faces of Life is a poetry book showcasing the different stages of our lives. It displays not just the different phases we are bound to travel. It also delineates the beauty of every stage and the lessons we can partake by passing through each. It depicts the nature of life as we capture memories at every stage and know our inner capabilities little by little. As a whole, it displays how each stage impacts us physically, emotionally, and psychologically. 

This book was written by Author Caris MB from Cebu City, Philippines. At a young age, she learned to sell sonnets, poems and even turned a few into songs. And when she lost her father at age 24, she decided to pursue her father's ultimate dream for her which is to publish her own book. In 2020, she was able to publish her first book, One of the Boys which is also a poetry book depicting varied male personalities. 

In the same year, she was able to write her second book, Seven Faces of Life and this is the book that we are going to talk about today in this exclusive interview with Author Caren.

1. Can you share with us something about the book that isn't in the blurb?

That's a very nice question. The book was made with so much passion and art not just from me but also from my illustrators. The book represents varied personalities which are not only expressed through my poetry but also through illustrations created by my artists: Karsten Pabinguit and Stan Adornado. It expresses different kinds of emotions portrayed by the different stages of life.

2. What inspired the idea for your latest book?

When I lost my father year 2019, I felt pain in different forms. I was full of questions, regrets, and sadness. That time, I wake up every day trying to assess myself; ending up feeling unproductive. I tried lifting myself up by doing things, I know, my late father would have loved me to do. I love writing because of him. Maybe because it is something I resemble him most. So, I started writing my first book for him.

However, as time goes by, I also learned to see the people who've been with me all throughout. Among all of them was my mom. I saw pain from my mom that weighed twice as heavy as mine. And so I wrote my second book, Seven Faces of Life for her. I have learned how pain does not end in one stage/ phase. Pain goes on because it will always demand to be felt. So, I wrote the book to express life's different stages and that it is normal to get hurt, to grieve, to cry, and feel sad. These are things we cannot control. I wanted to share how normal it is to put so much effort into ourselves just to gain the value of acceptance and forgiveness. But again, after having to learn its value, it will definitely be all worthwhile.

3. How long did it take you to complete the book?

I wrote the book, Seven Faces of Life for about a month while I was also busy distributing my debut book, One of the Boys: Men in Poems. During that time, I had a lot of things in mind. I just can't stop writing and I wanted to take advantage of the angst mixed with the passion to prove that I can do it.

I just came from a 6-year job. I never really planned on resting but the pandemic hit so when I was supposed to transfer company, I was stuck. Believe it or not, rest was forced upon me. I wasn't used to doing nothing considering the length of time that I have been employed so I realized, I have to do something out of scrap; out of my innate capacity. So, I decided to write.

But the collaboration between me and my illustrators, Karsten Pabinguit and Stan Adornado took about 2 more months to complete. Imagine how three great minds communicate? We came from different personalities. Karsten is very young and blooming, yet her talent is already very ripe and authentic. You can never believe her age when you see how great her potential is with her art. 

While Stan is very efficient and imaginative. His forte is into gaming and streaming so indulging himself in this kind of field is huge for me. I am just very lucky to have to work with such great artists. They are the type to know right away the kind of personalities the book is portraying and having to illustrate it makes the book's content so much livelier.

4. What part of the book was most challenging to write and why?

I find the fifth to seventh chapters challenging to write because as a young adult these chapters are still unknown to me. But picturing out the people around me who went through these phases helped me a lot. Observing them and their sudden shift of responsibilities helped me get through the challenge.

5. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

The main goal of the book was always to tap on its readers and make them feel that they are never alone in this journey. That yes, things can get worse and can be as unimaginable as it may seem; but nonetheless, we have to trust ourselves in the process. We have to take both the good and the bad in these situations in order to move through another stage. And, that every stage is an accomplishment.

6. If you’re planning a sequel or write the next book, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

I always wanted to write something about different women's personalities; as a sequel to my first book: 'One of the Boys'. My goal is always to write inspirational stories through creative poetry.

7. Where can they buy your books or find out more about you?

I would like to invite everyone to get your copies through these outlets:

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Faces-Life-Caris-M/dp/B08KJ1SYW4

Central Bookstores in the Philippines - They have branches in Manila, Makati, SM Megamall, Cebu, and Davao. Click this link to check store addresses and contact numbers. 

You may also order online through Central Book's website or its official stores in Lazada and Shopee. 

8. Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

You can follow me on my social media channels: 

Facebook:  facebook.com/carismb
Instagram: instagram.com/caris.mb
Site: carismb.wixsite.com/author

----------------------

Thank you, Author Caris for agreeing to this interview. Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone as we take this journey called life and that someone out there understands what we are going through. 

Thank you for being an inspiration to others. You just showed us that no one is too young to become an author. We are so proud of what you have accomplished and we look forward to seeing more wonderful things from you.