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By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor
On August 30, the
Eraserheads—the iconic band that sang the anthems of a
generation—reunites for one night only at the Cultural Center of
the Philippines for a free concert. The event is a revival in more
ways than one. The concert will mark the 601st day since vocalist
Ely Buendia suffered a heart attack. Yet the man rocks on.
If Buendia’s health problems was a wakeup call
to the Eheads generation—the guy was just 36 years old last
year—then his resurgence can lead the charge for today’s
generation to take responsibility for their health. Buendia’s case
proves that heart attacks are no longer an old man’s disease. It
can happen to anyone, especially to those who do not live a healthy
lifestyle.
To add a touch irony, a tobacco company is
sponsoring the Eraserheads reunion. Smoking has been proven to
greatly increase the threat of heart disease. Drummer Raymund
Marasigan is asthmatic and bassist Buddy Zabala is not known to
smoke.
Buendia’s experience demonstrates how easy it
is to mistake a heart attack for a simple chest pain. According to
reports, on January 7, 2007, he initially had difficulty breathing
but dismissed it as heartburn. He even went on to perform. Only
after he felt chest pains onstage was he rushed to the Intensive
Care Unit at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang,
Muntinlupa. The man by then had already been experiencing a heart
attack for several hours.
This is typical of heart attack victims. Most
experience shortness of breath and chest pains. However, one-fourth
of victims exhibit no symptoms prior to heart attack.
Sadly, people often wait an average of three
hours before recognizing a heart attack and taking proper action.
The longer left untreated, the more damage the heart and the rest of
the body sustains due to lack of oxygen.
In case of heart attack, one should: immediately
call emergency medical services (EMS) for help, rest the victim in a
half-sitting position with knees bent, allow better ventilation by
loosening clothes and opening windows, administer anti-clotting and
blood-thinning medicines such as aspirin (unless the patient is
allergic) and prepare any pertinent medical information about the
patient for the arriving EMS. If available, nitroglycerin—which
relaxes smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels and lowers blood
pressure—can be administered under the victim’s tongue. In case
of cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be
performed. The Red Cross offers training and certification in first
aid, CPR included.
Buendia’s heart attack was caused by the
blockage of three major heart arteries, some completely obstructed.
A heart attack—known medically as an acute myocardial
infarction—occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is
interrupted. With no blood supply to supply oxygen, affected heart
muscles can be damaged or killed. Cholesterol as well white blood
cells and calcium deposits that they attract cause these blockages.
In Buendia’s case, doctors pointed to stress
as the culprit. Nonstop performances—often late at night and
requiring tiring travels—can lead not only to an elevated blood
pressure but also deny a person time for balanced healthy meals,
regular exercise and rest—all of which also help relieve stress.
Some of Buendia’s relatives also had heart
problems. Studies have shown that people can have a genetic
predisposition to heart disease. Those with a family history of
heart disease should be extra vigilant and take proactive steps to
combat heart disease through proper exercise and a balanced healthy
diet.
Eating salty foods can also dangerously elevate
blood pressure. This is a problem with Asian diets.
Eating foods rich in fat and oil, especially
low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” which
accumulates in blood vessels, is deadly. High-density lipoproteins (HDL)
or “good cholesterol” such as those found in salmon, olive oil
and garlic that have the ability to bind and carry away “bad
cholesterol” deposits are truly beneficial.
Obesity greatly increases the chance of heart
disease by denying one of exercise and stressing the body with
excess weight. Any excessive calorie intake—be it carbohydrates,
bad cholesterol or good cholesterol—is detrimental to health.
Physical inactivity is unnatural and unhealthy.
Exercise not only burns fat but also enlarges the diameter of blood
vessels and strengthens heart muscles. It increases oxygen
absorption through greater lung capacity and quicker blood flow.
Tobacco smoking increases blood pressure and
makes blood more likely to clot. It also decreases oxygen supply by
diminishing lung capacity. According to the United States Surgeon
General, smoking is “the leading preventable cause of disease and
deaths.”
Ignorance about the symptoms and proper
responses to heart attacks can imperil not only you but also the
persons around you. Learning about heart disease as well as First
Aid and CPR can save lives.
So this August 30, rock ‘n roll, eat healthy,
exercise and avoid smoking. You might just live long enough to see
the Eraserheads reunite for good
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