A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of cardiomyopathy

In the Philippines, there are approximately 16 cases of heart failure for every 1000 Filipinos admitted. This number is an underestimation since many heart failure cases remain unreported and unregistered. One of the causes of heart failure is Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy is a serious disease of the heart muscles where the heart becomes enlarged, flabby and weak – severely reducing its ability to function effectively. This causes it to become difficult for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body, leading to congestive heart failure. With early stages of cardiomyopathy there may be little or no symptoms, but as the condition worsens symptoms will appear including shortness of breath, either during exercise or normal activity, chest pains, dizziness or fainting, fatigue and swelling of the abdomen, hands, or legs. Such symptoms will often become more severe if not treated.

Often the cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown. The condition can be passed on from a parent (genetic) or the result of another condition (acquired), but additionally, a rise in cases of toxin or drug-induced cardiomyopathy has been observed amongst today’s population, with continuous exposure to substances such as alcohol, cocaine or amphetamines increasing your risk. Alongside these more obvious suspects, daily substances like ephedra (commonly found in dietary supplements for slimming or energy boost), and energy drinks have also been found to increase your risk.

“Fortunately, you can help reduce your chance of cardiomyopathy and other types of heart disease by living a healthy lifestyle” says Dr. Camilo G. Te Jr., an internal medicine and cardiology specialist and active consultant of ManilaMed Medical Center, Manila. “By avoiding the use of substances such as alcohol or cocaine and controlling high blood pressure by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and sleep, you really reduce your risk. Whilst full treatment of cardiomyopathy is not available, we can help control it with certain medications and lifestyle changes which will help prevent further damage and loss of function”.

Scientific fact: Women are more attracted to men with facial hair

Science says it. Men with facial hair are more attractive. A study in the 70s and two more recent ones conducted by Neave and Shields in 2008 and Dixson and Brooks in 2013 all came up with the same conclusion: Most women find men with a stubble or a five-o’clock shadow very, very attractive. Although the women’s perception of male attractiveness changed according to the amount and length of men’s facial hair, most women in the study found men with a moderate amount of facial hair to be the most attractive. Some women did prefer men with no facial hair, but to the majority, men with no facial hair were not very attractive and seemed the least likely romantic partners. Women perceived full bearded men to be aggressive, more mature and a bit too much to handle.

Thinning hair problem? 5 ways to deal with your hair loss dilemma

Losing lots of hair each day? Starting to have bald patches on your head? One of the most fearsome thoughts for both men and women is the prospect of thinning hair. Though hair loss occurrence is higher among men, women are not exempted from this problem. According to studies, roughly 30 percent of the adult population suffers from some degree of hair loss, which can lower one’s confidence and cause anxiety. If hair is one’s crowning glory, balding hair can be a real nightmare.

Your UnionBank Mastercard may be the key to a brand-new BMW

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) Mastercard credit cardholders, this is for you! UnionBank has teamed up with BMW for a Mastercard-exclusive raffle that is sure to enhance your credit card usage. Through this UnionBank Mastercard promo, cardholders can get a chance to drive home a brand-new 2023 BMW X1 simply by using their UnionBank Mastercard credit card!

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