The critical link between diabetes and heart disease — is now more than ever, an important topic of discussion. Knowing the link can save your life.
The “For Your SweetHeart” campaign, spearheaded by Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc. in partnership with medical societies and patient groups, urges Filipinos diagnosed with diabetes to be aware of the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease and how to manage the condition properly. In addition, diabetes, with the presence of its complications, has been identified as a risk factor for increased severity of COVID-19 and poor outcome.
One of the long-term complications of diabetes is cardiovascular disease. According to a follow-up study among patients who participated in the World Health Organization (WHO) Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes, a staggering 52% of deaths in Type 2 Diabetes patients are due to cardiovascular disease—confirming that Type 2 Diabetes is a cardiovascular disease equivalent. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for patients with diabetes.
Patients with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease. Over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to the heart and ultimately raise blood pressure levels. Diabetes also increases the level of bad cholesterol. All of these factors increase the risk of heart disease in patients with diabetes. The three types of heart disease that patients with diabetes commonly develop are coronary heart disease, heart failure, and diabetic cardiomyopathy.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as of May 2020, there are nearly four (4) million reported cases of diabetes in the Philippines. Alarmingly, many living with diabetes do not know of their increased risk for heart diseases.
The “For Your SweetHeart” campaign aims to change that by raising awareness about this link, with the help of TV personality Kim “Kuya Kim” Atienza as the official campaign advocate.
“The campaign is relevant to me because my grandparents had diabetes, and so does my mother. Like many Filipinos, I can relate to how we always want what is best for the health and well-being of our loved ones. I always check up on my mother and make sure she’s leading a healthy lifestyle,” Kuya Kim stated.
Supported by health experts and patient organizations, the campaign will focus on not only patients but also the caregivers.
“It comes naturally for Filipinos to care for our loved ones. The campaign doesn’t just speak to those diagnosed with diabetes but also to the loved ones taking care of them,” said Dr. Greta Cortez, Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.’s Head of Medicine.
“Boehringer Ingelheim has always believed in empowering and equipping both the patients and their loved ones with important information so they can make the best decisions together for their health and well-being,” she continued.
Knowing the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease can help patients and those taking care of them to determine meaningful and necessary life-changing steps.
“There are ways to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease for those with diabetes. Being aware of the impact of diabetes on heart health is a critical first step as well as consulting your doctor, so you know the best medical options to manage the disease,” said Dr. Orly Bugarin, President of the Philippine Heart Association and a cardiologist at Twin Hearts Medical Clinic in Balanga, Bataan.
For more information about the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, visit www.foryoursweetheart.ph. The website includes an assessment tool based on the Framingham 10-year Heart Disease Risk Test, which requires details of the patient’s total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.
The “For Your SweetHeart” campaign is supported by the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc. (ISDFI), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), Philippine Society of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), Diabetes Philippines (DP), Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE), Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines, Inc. (ADNEP), and Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO).
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Kaya dapat po talaga alagaan ang kalusugan lalo na po yung may mga history ng diabetes. 🖒
It’s a big help Po talaga Ang It’s for your Sweetheart campaign
Magkapatid talaga yang diabetis at heart desease.Thanks for sharing this very helpful info mamu.We all need to be alert at consious sa mga kinakain natin, lalo na at di na nabata ang ating mga edad.Health is Wealth kaya alagaan natin ang ating mga sarili ,mahirap ang magkasakit,walang pinipiling edad ang mga sakit
Thanks po dito now alam ko na dahil mama ko po namatay sa sakin na diabetes delikado talaga ang sakit na to dahil wala syang edad na pinipili basta may ganyang sakin ka dapat aware ka sa pwede mangyari sayo lalo na po alam ko if nagbuntis ka pwede mamana ng anak ko kaya dapat talaga ingat tayo lalo na mahirap ang sakit na to at mahirap magkasugat dahil matagal humilom dahil sa diabetes
actually ang alam ko walang namamatay sa Diabetes lang, kundi sa mga complications nito. Ayan nga, pag me Diabetes, mas prone sa heart ailments 🙁
Yes mamu sya naman simula na hospital hindi na bumaba ang sugar nya sa katawan lagi mataas at puro na complikasyon
Magandang campaign po eto mamu Para maging aware po tayo sa ating kalusugan at pang alagaan po natin ang ating mga sarili. There are ways po Para minimize po natin ang risk ng cardiovascular disease sa mga tao pong may diabetes. .
oo nga.. nakakatakot kc ang mga complications ng Diabetes
Health is wealth kaya kelangan pangalagaan ang sarili.. traydor tong mga sakit na to eh.. kelangan ng healthy lifestyle para maging healthy din tayo.. nakakatakot pa naman ang diabetes at heart disease,
Thanks for sharing this mamu, My mother was diagnosed with diabetis. And this last June Lang po namin nalaman salamat po mga info malaking tulong po Yung ganitong topic Lalo na at di ako pamilyar talaga sa diabetis ngayon talaga ay double ingat na sa ipapakain Kay mama at exercise din.👍👍👍 thanks mamu
Salamat po sa magandang campaign nato.. kelangan tlga natin maging stay healthy lgii pra sa family ntin👌😍
Pag may diabetes hindi na gumagaling ang sugat always do a healthy lifestyle eat organic foods and drink more water. Heart disease is worst kaya need healthy dapat exercise, eat right and ofcourse “happy thoughts” minsan yung mga sakit2x sa katawan ay resulta ng stress din chillax stay positive and pray always.♡♡♡
Ako po nag karoon po ako ng diabetes type 2 last year nag buntis ako sa aking bunso po. Super ingat po ako at lahat po ng bawal talagang iwas po ako. Sa ngyn po hindi ko po na sabing wala n ang aking diabetes nag pa pacheck up pa din po ako regular at maganda naman po ang resulta. Super ingat lang po talaga ako sa mga kinakain ko po. Una po kc nasa lahi namin at 40 years old na po ako.
i had Gestational Diabetes last 2019. super hirap ung magturok na ng insulin twice a day, magmonitor for like 5 times a day. ang mahal pa ng insulin mismo at strips. i am hypertensive also, kaya super high risk ako nung buntis ako. thank God maayos ko nailuwal ang baby ko. kaya maganda matalakay tong ganitong usapin talaga mamu. it will help us to better understand the bad effects of the disease. so live healthy talaga mamu!
Very nice campaign and this is a very informative info for everyone to be aware of it thanks for sharing this mamu
Very nice campaign this is a big help to aware everyone 👍😊