Caring for the heart goes beyond an annual reminder. While Filipinos recently marked World Heart Day, keeping it healthy is a daily priority. After all, related diseases to it continue to be among the country’s top health concerns and consistent leading cause of death in the Philippines.
Beyond well-known factors like diet, exercise, and smoking, new research points to less visible risks. A study by NYU Langone Health this year linked chemicals commonly found in plastics, called phthalates, to more than 350,000 cardiovascular-related deaths globally. With the Philippines being one of the world’s biggest consumers of single-use plastics, using millions each day, this adds another layer of urgency to protecting cardiovascular wellness.
