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.
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). [1]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).[2]
“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.”
Despite its well-established medical consequences, obesity is still frequently viewed as a matter of lifestyle choice rather than chronic disease requiring long-term management. Novo Nordisk Philippines noted that this perception can delay appropriate care and reduce opportunities to prevent heart-related complications.
“We need to move past the misconception that obesity is simply a lack of willpower,” Dr. Montefalcon added. “As healthcare professionals, we recognize that obesity is a complex, multi-factorial disease. Our goal is to ensure that patients have access to evidence-based treatments that prioritize long-term cardiovascular protection.”
“When treatment focuses narrowly on weight reduction, the broader goal of protecting cardiovascular health can be overlooked,” Dr. Lampano added. “A more comprehensive approach is needed, one that prioritizes outcomes that matter most to patients.”
Advancing Obesity Care Through Science
Recent developments in obesity research have expanded how treatment success is defined. Beyond supporting weight loss, some therapies have been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, signaling an important shift toward outcome-driven care.
Semaglutide is one such advancement that has demonstrated cardiovascular risk reduction in people living with overweight or obesity, explained Dr. Lampano. “This highlights the growing recognition that effective obesity management can also contribute to the prevention of serious heart-related events.”
Growing Health Challenge
In the Philippines, obesity often occurs alongside diabetes and hypertension, placing working-age adults at higher risk of long-term illness and disability. Late diagnosis remains common, adding strain to families and the healthcare system.
Strategies that address both metabolic health and cardiovascular risk offer a more sustainable path forward, Dr. Lampano added. By focusing on prevention and long-term outcomes, these approaches can help reduce complications, hospitalizations, and premature deaths.
“When we treat obesity, we aren’t just changing a number on a scale—we are potentially saving a life from a future heart attack,” concluded Dr. Montefalcon. “We stand with partners in advocating for a heart-first approach to obesity care; while for patients, we urge them to study and ask their physicians about science-backed obesity treatments. Don’t self-medicate or follow trends. Take care of your heart by approaching weight and health with the same seriousness as any other medical condition.”
“In a country where heart disease remains a major public health concern, aligning obesity care with cardiovascular protection is essential,” Dr. Lampano continued.
Globally, obesity care continues to evolve, guided by scientific research and long-term outcomes data. Novo Nordisk Philippines supports this progress by promoting evidence-based discussions that position obesity as a serious medical condition with direct implications for heart health.
As Philippine Heart Month is marked across the country, the company urges Filipinos to move beyond stigma and adopt informed, compassionate approaches to obesity care. “Weight management is only one part of the picture,” Dr. Lampano said. “Protecting the heart is a shared responsibility and a goal worth pursuing together.”
