Promise of a Healthier Heart This Christmas

It’s the Christmas season once again. Amidst the pandemic, I know most of us will still share a hearty meal or two with our family and friends to celebrate the holidays. In my family alone, we are used to preparing meals in large quantities because the holidays are the only time we can bond and spend more time with them. And with all the merry making, we should all be wary not just of the coronavirus, but also with our heart and hypertension.

In every family, there are at least one person who has hypertension. This is a condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is high over a long period of time. Having this disease also increases the risk of having type 2 diabetes and other health complications.


Hypertension can burst or lead to blockage (occlusion) in arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain. This is known as a ‘stroke’, and can cause death, or serious disabilities in speech, movement, and functioning. In our family alone, my cousin suffered from hypertension last year because of all the parties he attended. Because there are a lot of celebrations, he was on a drinking spree almost every night. It was a good thing that he received proper health care and now chose to be healthier so it wouldn’t happen again.

According to studies on hypertension, there are a lot of risk factors for heart disease including high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, tobacco use, being overweight or obese, alcohol use and lack of physical activity. All of these risk factors can come into play during the holiday season. In a 2018 study published in British Medical Journal, Christmas was associated with a 15% increased risk of having a heart attack compared to other times of the year, the highest risk being on Christmas Eve. This is probably brought by the stress in planning the holidays, or heightened responsibilities like buying gifts and doing chores.

And because healthcare is a commitment, Sanofi also advocates in disease awareness that focuses on hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. They launched the #PanataNgPamilya, #PanatangSanofi where they support patients through holistic healthcare support and education. Sanofi secures Panata sa Puso ng Pamilyang Pilipino, where they encourage good heart health, healthy diet and exercise to safeguard the gift health.

There are Sanofi Programs such as Healthier PH sessions, FamHealthy Webinars, Empower Program and WeHealth. That way, we and our families can have worry-free holidays and celebrations.

Each and one of us wants to have a healthier Philippines, and wishes to face the coming year with our families complete and the best of health. To know more about Sanofi’s programs, you may check out https://www.sanofi.ph/

Post a Comment

0 Comments