Cardiologists Say Heart Failure No Longer a Death Sentence

Usapang Puso sa Puso Episode 31: “Pusong Palyado: May Pag-asa, ‘Wag Susuko!”

Guest author:

• GYNNA P. GAGELONIA, Media Relations Officer, Philippine Heart Association (PHA)

Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-ru3

Here’s good news for those suffering from heart ailments.

“Heart failure (HF) is a long-term condition that can’t be cured but patients can live full lives.”

Doctors from the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) emphasized that “early treatment and healthy lifestyle modification can help keep the symptoms under control” during the March 29, 2023 “Usapang Puso sa Puso” forum titled: “Palyadong Puso: May Pag-asa, ‘Wag Susuko” (Conversations from Heart to Heart: “Sputtering Heart: There’s Still Hope, Don’t Give Up”) anchored by Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo, PHA Director III and Advocacy Committee Chair.

The doctors added that with CAD (also known as ischemic heart disease) continuing to hold the title of the top cause of death locally and globally, HF remains an uncommonly known threat to public health.

Most people who develop HF have had another heart condition first. The most common trigger factors are: coronary artery disease (also known as ischemic heart disease), high blood pressure and a previous heart attack.

According to Segundo, “HF occurs when the heart is unable to properly pump blood into the body, with the usual symptoms including a shortness of breath, tiring easily, swelling, and palpitations.”

 “The good news is, Heart Failure is no longer a curse,” he added.

Touching on the management of HF, Dr. Rucci Cruz, a cardiac rehabilitation specialist and and chair of the PHA Council on Heart Failure’s National Heart Failure Network (NHFN) Advocacy and Emerging Therapies Committee, spoke of how 2D echocardiography (2D echo), is the best means of diagnosing HF.

“A 2D Echo isn’t scary: there’s no radiation or injections. It tells us if there’s HF and what kind…It can also tell us if the condition of the patient is getting worse. 2D Echo is the ultrasound of the heart,” she explained.

Cruz also spoke of how cardiac rehabilitation has shown to be effective in not only improving the outcomes of HF patients, but also the psychosocial condition, as it helps serve as a support group among them.

The 21 PHA-accredited Cardiology Training Institutions (CTIs) offer HF treatment. One of them, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Cebu City, pioneered the VSMMC Heart Failure Clinic under the PHA National Heart Failure Network program.

“But treatment can help keep the symptoms under control, possibly for many years,” she said.

The main treatments are healthy lifestyle changes.

Dr. Karen Caudor, VSMMC HF Clinic head and co-chair of the NHFN Education and Program Committee, spoke of the team-based approach the clinic takes with its patients.  She also emphasized the benefits of having a multi-specialty doctors and health pros composed of  nurses, dieticians, physical therapists working as a team.

“The HF Clinic not only adds years to life but also life to years.” Caudor said.

She added that the PHA NHFN aims to empower institutions and areas across the entire country with the capability to treat HF, as well as raise awareness through education.

Among the NHFN projects, the “Alab Yu: Pusong Matapang Lumalaban” comic strip series, is geared towards enriching every person’s HF knowledge and giving them access to a cardiologist.

The NHFN also seeks to update data on HF in the country via a national HF Registry. “Previous data taken in 2014 revealed that 16 in 1,000 hospitalized patients had HF; if global studies are to be considered, this number may be much higher now”, according to Segundo.

For the three doctors, keeping healthy is the key to a healthy heart and they both practice and preach the 52100 code.

The PHA’s advocacy program 52100 (five servings of fruits and vegetables, not more than 2 grams of sodium, at least 1 hour of exercise, 0 smoking and 0 sugary drinks, daily) is a simple means of avoiding the risk factors of heart disease.

Additionally, regular check-ups with your physician is essential to maintaining proper health and catching any warning signs such as high cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, early on.

“Alagaan ang puso kasi isa lang ‘yan (Take care of your heart because it’s only one). Don’t be scared if you have HF; there is medication and even if HF can’t be cured, treatment makes it very manageable. It isn’t a death sentence.” Cruz reminded.

• The PHA NHF’s strategies and goals are:
• To develop a comprehensive care and referral system;
• Train healthcare providers within the primary care setting;
• Enhance adherence to guideline-based treatment in all the training institutions and regions with the cooperation of the PHA Chapters and involvement of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Contribute to the national registry and support the global fight against HF

The PHA’s UPP is its platform through a series of media fora to impart knowledge and awareness on Filipinos regarding their heart and how to take care of it as well as pointing out risks associated with heart ailments. (✓)