Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines, with hypertension and high cholesterol as the top conditions. According to the Department of Health (DOH), around one in three Filipinos has heart problems.

We look at ways to keep your heart healthy and prevent your body’s most important organ from failing.

Did you know that heartbreak is a real medical condition called “broken heart syndrome”?

Watch What You Eat

We don’t mean “go on a diet.” Rather, what major health organizations suggest is that you watch what you eat. High cholesterol is caused by certain kinds of foods, which are common menu items in Filipino restaurants and homes, including foods high in fat, rich in uric acid, and often loaded with sugar or salt.

Alcohol, a common item in many Filipino parties and get-togethers, is also a common culprit of heart problems.

Here are some changes to your menu that you can make to keep your heart healthy:

• Include more vegetables and fruits
• Add healthier sources of protein, like seafood, nuts, and lean, unprocessed poultry
• Get more fiber in your meals
• Eat more foods made up of whole grains
• Avoid highly processed foods

Keep Your Weight in a Healthy Range

Weight can influence your heart’s condition, as excess weight may result from an unhealthy diet or excessive food intake that leads to clogged arteries, and excess weight itself can increase the risk of heart disease.

Aside from the healthy diet mentioned above, maintaining your weight so it does not lead to heart problems is also a lifestyle issue. You might be too much of a couch potato or use Grab or other motorcycle TNVS services even for a short trip to the corner grocery.

More physical activity, even several minutes of brisk walking to your favorite coffee shop, can help keep your weight down. Even a reduction of 3% to 5% of your body weight, if you are not yet within a healthy range, can help manage blood fats called triglycerides. It can also lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes.

Review Your Daily Habits

Beyond becoming more active, your lifestyle plays a big role in keeping your heart healthy. Two leading causes of heart problems are excessive alcohol intake and tobacco use. Reducing your daily intake of these substances, if you cannot eliminate them completely, can greatly reduce risks to your heart.

Getting enough sleep is another big contributor to heart health, and lots of Filipinos don’t get the amounts needed. Not having a good night’s rest regularly can lead to higher risks for obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, and diabetes.

Stress is also a leading cause of heart disease. While unavoidable in our modern lives, keeping it managed helps make for a healthier heart. Taking breaks when work or school gets too much, exercising mindfulness, and even having good fun regularly can help reduce stress and the heart risks it brings.

See Your Doctor Regularly

Not feeling any symptoms does not mean nothing is wrong. Many patients only learn about heart issues after being rushed to the ER for chest pain. Often, we don’t know what signs to look for, and some symptoms of a broken heart are unnoticeable.

The best way to gauge your heart’s health is to see your doctor regularly. This could be as simple as having a general practitioner assess your health. Even better, especially when you do start feeling something in your heart, is to consult a cardiologist, who can best advise you on how to control your weight, what a healthy diet looks like, and what lifestyle changes to make.

Regular checkups don’t have to be expensive. The right kind of medical insurance can give you easy and affordable access to medical specialists in clinics and hospitals who can assess your heart’s health and provide the best advice. Seeing your doctor regularly could also prevent bigger health issues from happening.

If you are interested in medical coverage to better protect your heart, Reliable Insurance Brokers is ready to help you choose the best policies that suit your budget and health needs. Contact us today to explore medical plans that protect your heart and your finances.

Contact Information for Inquiries and Support

If you have any questions or need assistance with your insurance, feel free to reach out to us:

• Call: +63 2 8631 9285 to 86
• Mobile: +63 917 138 5120
• Email: info@reliable-insurance.ph
• Messenger: m.me/reliable.insurancebrokersph

Sources:

• ABS CBN (2026, February 5), Heart Disease Still Leading Cause Of Death In Ph As Hypertension Cases Rise.
• Mayo Clinic (No date), Broken Heart Syndrome.
• Mayo Clinic (No date), Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease.
• American Heart Association (No date), The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations.
• Center for Disease Control (2026, January 28), Preventing Heart Disease.