Chronic stress, lack of sleep can lead to heart attack, stroke—DOH
Just in time for Christmas season, the Department of Health is advising the public that sustained stress and lack of sleep can raise one's risk of getting a heart attack or stroke, among other factors.
In DZMM's program Pinasigla with Tina Marasigan and DOH Sec. Dr. Ted Herbosa, guest Dr. Myla Supe, adult cardiologist at the Philippine Heart Center, gave a sobering look at the biological and lifestyle risk factors that may eventually cause a heart attack or stroke.
"Napapansin namin na may spike talaga [ng heart attack cases 'pag Pasko]. Buong taon, kahit papaano, nag-iingat tayo. Pero 'pag Pasko na, 'Ay, puwede nang kumain ng masarap, tutal Pasko lang naman 'to. Puwede nang uminom. Hindi muna 'ko matutulog kasi maraming party. Hindi muna 'ko mag-e-exercise kasi puyat ako kagabi," said Supe of people's excuses to pause their healthy activities during the holiday season.
She warns that these holiday overindulgences may become the "straw that breaks the camel's back" in terms of one's heart health.
Traditional and genetic risk factors
Supe lists the traditional risk factors of a heart attack: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, zero exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Add to these smoking, vaping, and drinking any amount of alcohol.
A genetic predisposition to a heart attack or stroke will most probably also raise one's risk of succumbing to such diseases.
According to Supe, if women have experienced pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes, these may hasten the occurrence of atherosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries from plaque buildup.
More specific to the Christmas season are instances of heightened stress and chronic lack of sleep, both of which contribute to the possibility of a heart attack or stroke.
"Kung meron kang diabetes o high blood [pressure], nagbabara na 'yung ugat. Tahimik lang [muna] siya. Pero kung bigla kang ma-stress, tataas ang blood pressure mo, [iyong] heart rate," said Supe.
The stress can come from many sources, but also from bad sleeping habits.
"'Yung mga hindi natutulog na kababayan [dahil sa trabaho], kakain 'yan dahil sa stress. Maninigarilyo. Definitely, puwedeng magkaroon ng stroke at heart attack," said Supe.
Herbosa added, "'Yung stress also triggers hormones na rine-release ng iba-ibang endocrin organs natin. At 'yun ang nagco-cause ng mataas na heart rate. At kung ikaw ay ay may chronic illness, barado na 'yung ugat mo...matutuluyan ka na sa heart attack o brain attack, 'yung bagong tawag namin sa isang uri ng stroke."
What can we do?
According to Supe, heart disease normally takes decades to manifest.
"Matagal ang proseso ng pagbara ng ugat, hindi lang isang holiday. It would have started 10, 20 years ago. Magbabara lang ng buo kung may trigger," she said.
At Christmas, the trigger could be eating lots of lechon at parties, not getting enough sleep, missing exercise, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
"Kaya ang maintenance medicines ay importante," she said. These have to be taken regularly, as prescribed by physicians, not just after enjoying a meal high in cholesterol.
Consistently eating a good diet also helps. According to Herbosa, one's daily diet should have "lots of vegetables, a little protein, some carbohydrates. 'Yung regular diet ng Pinoy."
It would also be beneficial to recognize the signs of a heart attack.
"If you can pinpoint the pain, hindi 'yun puso. That's musculo-skeletal pain. Pero kung puso 'yan, hindi mo ma-explain. Mabigat. 'Yung iba, masakit ang jaw; 'yung iba, ang ngipin," said Supe.
Symptoms could also include shortness of breath and fatigue after doing simple tasks, such as climbing one flight of stairs.
Regardless of age—since today, the heart attack patients in the Philippine Heart Center's ward have an average age of 30—if patients feel an indescribably heavy feeling in the chest, Herbosa recommends they go to the hospital right away to get an ECG.
"Kung nagrereklamong nahihirapang huminga, may chest pain, 'wag na kayong mag-atubili. May zero-balance billing naman po sa mga DOH hospital. Kahit siksikan, uunahin kayo d'un kapag sinabing may chest pain [na makitang delikado]," Herbosa said.
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any questions you may have.
