Novo Nordisk PH calls for a heart-centered approach to obesity care

IN observance of Philippine Heart Month, Novo Nordisk Philippines is encouraging Filipinos and the medical community to take a more integrated view of obesity: one that recognizes its direct and long-term impact on cardiovascular health.

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Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines, with ischemic heart disease and stroke consistently topping mortality statistics, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). At the same time, national nutrition surveys show that overweight and obesity among Filipino adults have more than doubled over the past three decades, increasing vulnerability to heart attack, stroke, and related complications (DOST-FNRI).

“The link between obesity and heart disease is undeniable. Excess weight is not just a physical burden; it is a metabolic one that leads to hypertension and chronic inflammation—all of which are precursors to heart failure,” said Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, Interim Head, Clinical, Medical, Regulatory & Pharmacovigilance, Novo Nordisk Philippines. “To protect the Filipino heart, we must address obesity with the same clinical urgency as we do high blood pressure or cholesterol.”

“Obesity affects far more than body weight. It places sustained stress on the heart and blood vessels,” said Dr. Danieson Lampano, Medical Manager for Novo Nordisk Philippines. “In the local setting, delayed diagnosis and limited access to preventive care often mean these risks are addressed only after serious cardiovascular damage has already occurred.”