“For Your Sweetheart” Campaign
While we spend most of our time at home, we might not be aware that our sedentary lifestyle could eventually pose a danger to one’s health, including increased risk of diabetes.
According to data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that in 2020 alone, nearly 4 million Filipinos are afflicted with diabetes.[1] One of the long-term complications of diabetes is cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 52 percent of deaths among people with Type 2 diabetes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes.[2] What is even more alarming is that many of those living with diabetes do not know of this critical link between diabetes and heart disease.
To address this knowledge gap, the “For Your SweetHeart” campaign spearheaded by Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc., in partnership with medical societies and patient groups, was recently launched to increase awareness among Filipinos about the deadly connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Part of the “For Your SweetHeart” campaign urges Filipinos to get moving and exercise amid home quarantine with an activity dubbed as “Healthy Heart At Home,” an online fitness class conducted by top fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret. The heart-pumping, low-impact cardio online class, is designed to share key information to the general public about Type 2 diabetes and heart disease connection using a more fun, interactive, and engaging approach.
Prior to the fitness class, TV personality and “For Your SweetHeart” campaign ambassador Kim “Kuya Kim” Atienza, together with Dr. Ayi Faller, President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists – Philippine Chapter, shared more details about the campaign.
I personally try to monitor my sugar intake, since my mom is also diabetic. 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.
The key to a healthier lifestyle and heart is to keep moving. It is good that Coach Jim and Toni shared easy to follow exercises that we can do at home, even if we are sitting. These ensures that we keep our body moving, and our heart healthy. You don’t need a partner to keep your heart healthy. Just always think of your sweet heart.