Heart disease in the Philippines is most crucial health problem as of 2025. Ischemic heart disease ranks higher than cancers and stroke as the main cause of deaths nationwide. Worst, younger Filipino adults are highly at risk to get this deadly disease due to harmful lifestyle choices and eating habits.
What is the status of heart disease in the Philippines? Many Filipinos still think heart disease is a condition of older adulthood. But studies show that heart disease are increasingly affecting younger populations around the country today. These changes are closely tied to many lifestyle changes and dietary habits that make younger Filipinos prone to cardiovascular risks.
Heart disease in the Philippines still remains a crucial health problem. Even in Panabo City, just like the rest of Davao del Norte, ischemic heart diseases are among the leading causes of death in 2022 (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022). Thus, understanding how heart diseases develop, its risk factors, and effective prevention strategies are critical for building a healthy community and nation.
In this brief article, let’s explore how heart disease develops. Let’s also discuss why heart disease in the Philippines impacts all age groups, and what lifestyles are risky for the heart’s health. At the end of this article, let’s also tackle why should it is important to have regular medical consultation with a cardiologist.
1. How Does Heart Disease Develop?
Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), begins with a process called atherosclerosis. In this process, fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances accumulate in the arterial walls, forming plaque (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Over time, this buildup narrows the arteries and restrict blood flow to the heart. Once a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
In the Philippines, there are plenty of factors that drive atherosclerosis:
- Unhealthy diets: Excessive saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium promote plaque formation (Healthline, 2024).
- Sedentary lifestyles: Physical inactivity weakens cardiovascular health and exacerbates obesity.
- Chronic conditions: Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol damage blood vessels (Asian Heart Institute, 2025).
- Genetic predisposition: Family history can increase susceptibility to early-onset heart disease.
Atherosclerosis often starts silently in young people. There are studies showing that 20% of heart attacks now occur among adults under 40. These could reflect decades of unchecked risk factors (OU Health, 2025).
At the same time, it highlights the need for promoting healthy choices among the youth in the Philippines that would reduce the risks of this process developing at an early age.
2. Why Heart Disease in the Philippines Can Affect Both Young and Older Adults
Many Filipinos still believe that heart disease is a problem among older people. While aging naturally stiffens arteries, lifestyle choices are erasing the age barrier for heart disease. Young adults in the Philippines today face unprecedented exposure to:
- Poor dietary habits: Processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast-food culture contribute to obesity and metabolic disorders.
- Screen time and inactivity: Prolonged sitting reduces cardiovascular resilience.
- Stress and mental health challenges: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, increasing blood pressure and inflammation (Asian Heart Institute, 2025).
In the Philippines, ischemic heart disease accounted for 18.7% of deaths in 2022, with risk factors like hypertension and diabetes appearing earlier (HealthFirst Clinic, 2025). This why in Panabo City, the Panabo City Health Office frequently posts information on social media encouraging residents 18 and above to have their blood pressure checked regularly so they can know their heart’s health conditions.
Of course, genetic factors also play a role in the development of heart diseases among Filipinos. However, lifestyle choices often determine whether predispositions manifest as disease. For example, vaping and alcohol misuse-common among the youth damage blood vessels and heart muscle (OU Health, 2025).
3. Filipino Lifestyles That Increase the Risks of Heart Disease in the Philippines
Traditional Filipino diets and modern habits also create a perfect storm for heart disease:
- High-sodium foods: Dishes like bagoong (fermented fish paste), dinengdeng (vegetable stew with fish sauce), and processed meats (longganisa, bagnet) are laden with salt and unhealthy fats (Philippine Information Agency, 2025).
- Carbohydrate-heavy diets: White rice and sugary snacks spike blood sugar, increasing diabetes risk.
- Sedentary urban living: Only 40% of Filipino adults meet physical activity guidelines (Journal of Public Health, 2024).
- Smoking and alcohol: Over 28% of Filipino men smoke, while binge drinking is culturally normalized, further straining cardiovascular health.
These trends are compounded by healthcare access barriers. Many young Filipinos, especially in Panabo City, delay their checkups, thinking it is only for older people. But if they do not have proper health and physical activity, they will miss early warning signs such as high cholesterol or hypertension (OU Health, 2025).
4. Why Consultation with a Cardiometabolic Doctor Is Necessary
To reduce the risks of developing heart disease, it is important to get regular checkup with your doctor whose expertise is in cardiology and metabolic diseases. As specialists in this field, these doctors are able to:
- Detect hidden risks: Early screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can identify issues before symptoms arise.
- Tailor treatments: For example, balancing medications to manage both hypertension and diabetes without adverse interactions.
- Provide lifestyle coaching: Personalized plans to improve diet, exercise, and stress management.
Studies show that cardiometabolic clinics significantly improve outcomes by coordinating care across disciplines (Gabbay, 2024). In the Philippines, where heart disease and diabetes often coexist, such expertise is vital. For instance, patients attending specialized clinics see faster improvements in HbA1c levels and weight management compared to standard care.
In Panabo City, Rivera Heart & Metabolism can address the overlap between heart disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes and ultimately provide comprehensive care for heart health.
Conclusion: Let's help reduce incidents of heart disease in the Philippines
The rise of heart disease in the Philippines among younger adults underscores the urgent need for preventive action. If you are in Panabo City or Davao del Norte, you can visit Rivera Medical Center (RMCI) for consultation with our cardiometabolic specialists. By understanding how lifestyle and diet contribute to cardiovascular risks-particularly in the Filipino context-individuals can adopt healthier habits early.
Regular consultations with cardiometabolic specialists offer a proactive approach to managing these risks, ensuring long-term heart health. Indeed, prevention is always better than cure.
Call us at 09257076172 for consultation with Rivera Heart & Metabolism, at the Rivera Medical Center, Panabo City.
