Minding Your Heart: The Self-Care You Can’t Ignore

 Heart health is a vital aspect of wellness, yet many people overlook the importance of taking care of their hearts. 

 

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality among Filipinos in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as cited by Professor Jeff Clyde Corpuz of the De La Salle University in the Journal of Public Health dated March 2024. Ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease is the main cause of death from January to December 2022, accounting for 18.4% of all fatalities.

 

“The alarming rate of heart diseases and their alarming impact on mortality rates can be considered as a public health emergency in the Philippines,” Prof. Corpuz wrote. Risk factors, including high blood pressure, high-sodium and high-trans-fat diets, and physical inactivity,contribute to the rise of cardiovascular diseases in the Philippines. 

Given their vulnerability to cardiovascular conditions, Filipinos should be more mindful of their heart health. A great way to be more proactive about taking care of one’s heart is to think of it as a vital part of self-love and self-care. 

 

Here are five heart care practices people can easily incorporate intotheir everyday lives:

 

1. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Being mindful about what one eats is still the best way to care for the heart, especially since a typical Filipino’s diet is high in unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar. Avoid processed, canned, and fast food and eat more heart-healthy foods, such as nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fish, and lean meats.

 

2. Get some exercise. Physical activity keeps the heart strong, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. For those who struggle to exercise due to a busy schedule or weak joints, daily walks should be enough to get your heart muscles moving. Walking helps regulate one’s cholesterol level and blood pressure, keeping your heart fit and healthy.

 

3. Get enough sleep. The Philippines is the fourth most sleepless country in the world, according to the 2023 study of consumer research and data analytics company Milieu Insight. Filipino adults only get an average of six hours and 30 minutes of sleep every night, less than the recommended seven hours of “quality” sleep.

 

Not getting enough good sleep can raise blood pressure, which puts extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. To do that, go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. 

 

People who struggle with insomnia or those who still feel tired despite getting eight or more hours of sleep should talk to their doctor to check for any sleep-related conditions.

 

 

4. Quit smoking. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease revealed that 17.3 million Filipino adults, or 28% of the population, smoke tobacco. Chemicals inhaled when smoking cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, so cutting cigarette consumption is key to good heart health, as well as avoiding secondhand smoke. 

 

5. Check on your heart regularly. Keeping an eye on one’s heart health can be as simple as regularly checking blood pressure and blood sugar. For Filipinos, the ideal blood pressure is 130/80 for adults and 140/90 for older individuals. A blood test is also a great way to check for comorbidities like diabetes and high cholesterol, which can raise the risk of heart disease.

 

Leading A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

 

Heart diseases can take a toll on your body, mind, and finances. Taking care of your heart starts with simple, mindful choices — eating well, getting enough rest, staying active, quitting bad habits, and having the right insurance such as Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.’s Sun Grepa Fit and Well. This comprehensive life and health protection plan provides financial benefits for 114 covered critical conditions across minor and major stages. It can be availed at a young age up until senior years, providing protection for all stages of life. 

 

“Sun Life Grepa’s products act as a safety net to protect yourself and your family in case the unthinkable happens, giving you the peace of mind to live every single day to the fullest,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said.

 

To learn how Sun Life Grepa’s health protection plans can support your journey to a heart-healthy future, reach out to a Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com.  

Sun Life Grepa Extends Healthcare Support to Ahon sa Hirap Members in Kalibo, Aklan

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the major insurers in the country, recently conducted a medical and dental mission in Kalibo, Aklan, for members of Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI), an organization committed to uplifting underprivileged communities across the Philippines.

This initiative, held as part supporting Life Insurance Consciousness Week, offered a full day of healthcare services to ASHI members, including medical check-ups, dental consultations, and the distribution of essential medications.

“Our goal has always been to uplift the lives of Filipinos in line with our purpose of enabling financial security and healthier lives," said Peter Miranda, Sun Life Grepa's Vice President for Group Marketing Operations. "By providing support to ASHI members, we’re not only addressing immediate health needs but also empowering them with knowledge and resources for their well-being. We are honored to bring this service to Kalibo, Aklan, as part of our ongoing commitment to serve and help build more resilient communities.” 

This medical mission was conducted in collaboration with Stronghold Insurance, which generously provided meals for both attendees and volunteers.

This latest medical and dental mission reaffirms Sun Life Grepa’s sustained commitment to ASHI members. Previous missions have been conducted in communities across the country, including Dasmarinas, Cavite; Mauban, Quezon; San Jose, Antique; and Pililla, Rizal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pandemic has raised the awareness of people on the importance of health plans

There was a time when investment referred to stocks, real estate, market funds and business. While these are still important in growing one’s wealth, health has now risen as one of the most critical investments one must consider. 

  

A survey done by Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Sun Life Philippines, indicated that health insurance rose from fourth to second top priority in financial protection among the general public. The respondents of the said survey, done in the third quarter of 2021, revealed that while they are concerned about having a stable source of income to help in emergency situations, they are also highly concerned for the health and well-being of their loved ones and themselves.   

  

According to Richard S. Lim, president of Sun Life Grepa, the pandemic has raised the awareness of people on the importance of health plans. Plans that offer hospitalization and other benefits for dreaded disease treatment or COVID-related confinements are highly sought after at this time, together with life insurance products.   

  

With this growing interest in mind, here are a few more factors to consider when choosing a health insurance policy. 

  

Health Insurance that provides options for a wide range of treatment benefits. While different people have different protection needs, it is very useful to have health insurance plans that provide coverage options for life-threatening conditions such as critical illnesses. Upon diagnosis of a critical illness, are some benefits paid out to provide the insured person sufficient funds for incurred medical expenses? In certain instances, these conditions may require additional tests and even initial confinements and procedures before the actual course of treatment is finalized. During the treatment process itself, it may be useful to check if the plan has options available to cover surgical-related costs should the treatment program require such intervention. An additional consideration would be hospital confinement-related benefits. This could range from regular room confinement to the more complex Intensive Care Unit (ICU) confinement options. Another useful aspect to consider would be a health plan’s post-recovery benefit options related to post-confinement treatment such as follow-up consultations and even rehabilitation.   

  

Group coverage for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). MSMEs realize now, more than ever, the importance of securing their employees’ health to keep their business/es going. There is a right health insurance plan for the varying needs of such enterprises. Employers just need to thoroughly review plans best suited for them. There are various group hospitalization plans available in the market to choose from. It would be helpful to select one that includes surgical benefit options and possibly to pay for hospital expenses in case an employee needs to be confined. You could also look for an insurance plan that likewise covers the employee’s immediate family members. After all, employees caring for sick family members will likely be distracted and less productive at work if their loved ones’ needs are not looked after.   

  

Reliable, extensive access to medical partners. It helps to check on the insurance company’s access to medical providers. This access would ideally include: hospitals, clinics and health care centers that are of good reputation, experts in their respective fields and with a history of trustworthiness. The more medical partners in more locations the better. A life insurance company with wide provider access can truly help in ensuring flexibility in service options like reimbursement, and also proves the organization's stability, competitiveness, and responsiveness to needs. 

  

Financial advisors that speak your language. All financial advisors are trained, so it is important to try talking to various advisors before deciding on one that connects with you the most. It would be ideal to consider not just an advisor’s years of expertise and track record but also his ability to listen, understand your needs, and provide you with relevant financial protection coverage options that will best address your specific requirements. From sharing protection options to providing assistance in processing claims, an advisor’s clarity in explaining products and steps to take is highly beneficial.