HEART TO HEART

Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo

For many years, we have heard and read several  information on keeping the heart in good condition. Health conscious friends and relatives have shared those tips in small talks or via the social media  where everyone is free to publish information, verified or not.  To help us discern fact from myth on heart care, Philippine Rotary held a discussion with Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, a cardiologist at the Makati Medical Center and founding president of the Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases that disseminates public information on prevention of cardiac ailments.

 You need to exercise at least an hour daily to keep the heart healthy.

MYTH

“Not necessarily,” says Dr.Bellosillo, considering that there are people whose hectic schedules won’t allow them to hit the gym daily. On the other hand,  Dr. Bellosillo says this should not be an excuse to ditch exercise or live a sedentary lifestyle which makes one prone to stroke and heart attack. To maintain a healthy heart, he recommends allotting 30 minutes , three times a week at least, for exercise.

The heart expert also suggests exercises that  1) involve  alternate contraction and relaxation of the body’s big muscles such as legs and arms; 2) increase heart rate at a desired level; and  3)something one could do regularly  like running and dancing.

However, Dr.Bellosillo cautions that there are some forms of exercise that could be harmful, especially if one has a heart problem. “We do not recommend exercises that will put muscles in a prolonged contraction like chinning bar and water skiing because these increase blood pressure,” he says. 

Men are more prone to heart disease than women.

MYTH

“Actually, the risk is almost the same in both genders depending  on the kind of heart disease,” the good doctor emphasizes.  He further elucidates that  during the early years, the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease, the build-up of plaques in the blood vessels that lead to stroke and heart attack, is higher in men than in women. However,  when women reach the age of menopause, the incidence of heart attack becomes almost equal with men and, worse, when women have a heart attack, it is more fatal. “The reason for this is, probably, because women are protected during their childbearing years by their hormones,” Dr. Bellosillo, who have served as resource speaker  in several health symposiums in the country and across the globe,  explains.

Margarine is better than butter

MYTH

Dr. Bellosillo observes many people accept  as  true gospel  that margarine is a healthier choice than butter, because margarine  is made from vegetable oils and higher in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (“good” fats) in comparison to butter which is made from animal fat which contains cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat.  However, he warns that  there are some margarines that contain trans fat that, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol levels.  Thus, Dr. Bellosillo cautions not to consume much of margarine.

Aspirin can help lower risk of heart attack.

FACT 

The heart expert points out that heart attack is usually triggered when platelets in the blood suddenly aggregate which blocks blood flow.  He says, studies have shown that aspirin diminishes  the tendency of platelets to aggregate, therefore it helps lower the risk of heart attack. Though, Dr. Bellosillo advises about the proper intake of aspirin. “While I strongly advocate that almost all heart medications should be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption, however, aspirin should not be taken before a meal because it has an irritating effect to the stomach and one can develop gastritis.” He advises that it is best to take the said drug late in the evening because it will help prevent platelet aggregation which happens at 4 a.m.

 Eat only fat-free foods to protect your heart.

MYTH

This is a misconception, the cardiologist expounds, that drive some people to become too much conscious of their fat intake, prefering to eat fat-free food products only. “One needs fats for other purposes in the body. It helps in the integrity of the membrane of cells. The body also needs it in the production of hormones and other chemicals. Cholesterol can be harmful only if it is in excess,” says Dr. Bellosillo.

 Red wine is good for the heart.

MYTH

“On  certain occasions where liquor is being served, preferably, one  should go for red wine but should not make it a practice to have wine regularly because it has negative effects on other organs like the liver,” Dr. Bellosillo recommends. Compared to white wine, he says,  red wine contains more antioxidants that protect cholesterol from oxidation. On the other hand, the downside is that alcohol has harmful effects on other organs of the body.

Hypertension can be cured.

MYTH 

According to Dr.  Bellosillo many people have  misapprehension  that hypertension is curable, but the fact is that it is a lifetime disease. “There are no medications and surgical procedures that can cure hypertension that is why one with this condition needs  regular intake of medicines to be protected from persistently elevated blood pressure.”

Sex can keep the heart healthy.

MYTH: 

People like to hear that sex is good for the heart, but the wisdom of the heart specialist claims that, actually, it depends on how one does it.  For Dr. Bellosillo sex can be considered as a work out, and  most likely, If one is physically active during sexual intercourse, there are health benefits . However, he cautions that sexual activity is not as good as aerobics or jogging. “There are  qualifications for a physical activity to have a good effect on the heart. First, it must use the big muscles in alternate contraction and relaxation. Second, it must be done regularly.  Lastly,  it must raise one’s heart rate to a desired level for 30 minutes. “ Based on research, the good doctor clarifies that the desired heart rate during sexual intercourse is only reached during orgasm. “Can orgasm last for half an hour? Based on that argument, sex  is not a good form of exercise to keep the heart healthy,” says  the veteran cardiologist.

Dr. Bellosillo further advises that having sex in the morning can be dangerous for individuals who suffer from hypertension and coronary heart disease due to the phenomenon called Circadian Variation. “If one has a coronary heart disease or hypertension, moments that will make one’s  heart beat fast and hard must be avoided because the heart will require more oxygen which will not easily pass through. Studies have shown that in the mere process of waking up in the morning, one’s adrenal glands are already being stimulated to secrete hormones called adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. These hormones are notorious for making one’s heart beat faster and harder, so how much more if one  exercises or engages in sexual intercourse,” he says. However, he prescribes to  those who can’t really resist, to take their medication  beforehand.

 It is ok to consume fast foods as long as you exercise.

MYTH

The heart specialist reveals that fast foods, like hotdog, hamburger and French fries, usually contain a lot of saturated fats, such that even if one does  exercise but  eats too much of these kinds of food, one’s cholesterol level will still go up. “Whatever the beneficial effect of exercise on one’s body is nullified by excessive intake of saturated fats which are present in fast foods,” explains Dr. Bellosillo.  He advises that it is important to know one’s risk factors and work on them.

Dr. Bellosillo and me

(Published in Philippine Rotary magazine May 2015 issue; photos by: Carmen Dela Cerna)

THE CHALLENGE OF INCLUSIVE GROWTH

The Philippines continues to impress the world with its outstanding economic performance. But do the poor benefit from it?

The Philippine economy is in bloom. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the basis of measuring a country’s total economic performance, the Philippines recorded an average growth rate of 6.3 percent from 2010 to 2013 to become the second fastest growing economy in Asia, next to China.  In 2014, the Philippines posted an annual GDP of 6.3 percent, mostly driven by the sectors of services, agriculture, manufacturing and construction. Indeed, the Philippines has transformed from the “Sick Man of Asia” to the region’s tiger economy, an outstanding accomplishment that the current administration takes pride in.

However, in spite of the impressive numbers, a huge portion of the population have yet to feel the positive impact of the economic progress.  According to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations in the last quarter of 2014, fifty-two percent (52%) of Filipino families (about 11.4 million households) perceive themselves as poor.  The study even noted that 2014, despite the slight improvement, was the worst in eight years in terms of self-rated poverty. Furthermore, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that poverty incidence among Filipinos was at 25.8 percent in the first semester of 2014, up from 24.6 percent in the same period in 2013.

In the rural areas, the economic boost is barely felt by farmers like Eduardo Manango who operates a mango farm in Isabela. He complains that earnings went down, most probably also due to the attendant unpredictable weather pattern that negatively affects his yield. He added that farmers, especially the small ones, really experience difficulty in earning money beyond the harvest season.  “The income is only seasonal. This setting forces poor farmers to avail loans just to meet the needs of their farms and families. But this usually sinks them into debt,” said the 57 year old farmer.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV believes that if the poverty rate in the country remains high despite the lofty economic growth figures, the Philippines can’t claim brimming economic success. “No one can deny that our growth is there, but the problem is that this is not an inclusive growth. Our economy is growing in leaps and bounds, but it is not getting where it needs to be,” he said. 

As elucidated by the World Bank, as it defined inclusive growth, “the pace and pattern of growth, which are interlinked and must be addressed together. Rapid pace of growth is unquestionably necessary for substantial poverty reduction, but for this growth to be sustainable in the long run, it should be broad-based across sectors, and inclusive of the large part of a country’s labor force. This definition implies a direct link between the macro and micro determinants of growth.”

Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, stated that the Philippine Government could bring the positive impact of the country’s economic growth to the poor communities and rural areas by encouraging them to get into business. “If we want to push for inclusive growth, we need to be able to energize the communities through real markets, through real businesses,” the legislator from Tarlac stated. However, he emphasized that providing livelihood training to people is not sufficient. The government should also help micro, small  and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sell their products properly by linking the communities with the markets.

To help the country realize inclusive growth, Aquino authored the Go Negosyo Act enacted by the Congress in 2014. The law seeks to speed-up the business registration process and boosts support for MSMEs. It also mandates every local government unit in the country to set up a Negosyo Center, under the supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry, where small business, farmers, producers and cooperatives could tap financial assistance and training. Negosyo Centers can also help MSMEs in developing marketing strategies.

Aquino cited the business partnership between Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), the largest food service company in the Philippines, and the KALASAG Farmers Producers Cooperative in Nueva Ecija as one of the best examples of the positive impact of linking communities and markets. JFC tapped the local farmers to supply up to 80 percent of onions requirements of their restaurant chain of more than 1,200 stores nationwide. Though Jollibee does not necessarily buy the onions at a higher price, the regularity of their business tie-up provided a stable source of income for around 200-300 farmers of KALASAG that eventually got them out of poverty. They were able to send their children to school, purchase motorcycles and improved their home structures. One of the onion growers who benefited from this eight-year project is Randy Dizon, 34, of Brgy. San Agustin. Dizon earned PhP150,000 from the 360 bags of onions harvested in 2010, as reported by the Alay sa Kaunlaran Inc. The success of the business partnership has improved not only the farmers’ lifestyle but also their self-esteem. “They now think of themselves as entrepreneurs, as business people, and that mindset is important to drive people out of poverty,” said Aquino.

To further help MSMEs, the Senator filed The Fair Competition Bill  which aims to prevent big companies from monopolizing the market to give a fair chance to MSMEs’ businesses to prosper. “If a large company, because of its market dominance, is edging an MSME out, the latter can file a complaint and the former can be fined and in some cases, may even be criminally charged. It is a powerful bill,” said Aquino. As of this writing, The Fair Competition Bill is on its third reading in the Senate,  while awaiting its passage in the House of Representatives.

For Senator Aquino, attaining inclusive growth is more of a moral imperative than an economic challenge wherein the government needs to work hand in hand with the private sector to bring down poverty rate and enabling the underprivileged enjoy benefits of economic growth. “It’s a huge thing that the market, as represented by the private sector, is engaged in getting our country out of poverty,” he expressed.

In the same light, the youngest senator believes that service organizations like Rotary, through its diverse membership composed of businessmen and professionals dedicated to service, could play a crucial role in promoting inclusive growth in the country.  He encourages Rotarian businessmen to engage their companies in providing long-term livelihood support to poor communities. “You don’t have to be a top 100 company like Jollibee or Nestle. You can actually look at your own company’s activities and identify which of these could be venues for community services.”

 Art by: Carmen Dela Cerna

Published in: April 2014 Philippine Rotary magazine