Experts urge Filipinos to look beyond cholesterol

Inflammation emerges as the hidden threat behind heart disease

MANILA, Philippines — Many Filipinos who maintain normal cholesterol levels, stay active, and avoid smoking still find themselves facing unexpected heart problems.

Despite following what’s long been considered the standard for heart health, more people are being diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases that occur without the typical “high cholesterol” warning signs.

Every year, more than 130,000 Filipinos die from cardiovascular diseases, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority – a figure that continues to climb even among individuals who appear to live relatively healthy lifestyles. New global research now points to inflammation inside the body as a hidden yet powerful driver of heart attacks and strokes, suggesting that it could be an even stronger predictor of heart disease than cholesterol itself.

At the recently held European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 in Madrid, researchers from the Karolinska Institute, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, presented real-world findings showing that people with high levels of inflammation – even those without high cholesterol – face significantly higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and death.

The study analyzed patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and found that those with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (a marker of inflammation) were more likely to suffer major cardiac events than those with high cholesterol alone.

These findings could shift how doctors approach heart health – and how Filipinos understand it. “Heart disease continues to be the number one killer in the country, but many at-risk Filipinos are still unaware of the role inflammation plays,” Dr. Neslie Buena-Bobis, clinical, medical, regulatory and pharmacovigilance director of Novo Nordisk Philippines, said.

According to Buena-Bobis, inflammation can be triggered by uncontrolled blood sugar, obesity, stress, smoking, or even chronic infections – conditions that affect millions of Filipinos daily.

“To better protect patients, we must move beyond traditional risk factors like cholesterol and also consider inflammation as part of cardiovascular care,” she added.

Wei Sun, general manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines, said these findings highlight the need for awareness and prevention. “At Novo Nordisk, we’re deepening our understanding of how diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes are interconnected. Our goal is to drive innovation and education that help Filipinos manage these risks before they lead to life-threatening outcomes.”

For millions of Filipinos juggling work, family, and the daily grind, these small, preventive steps can make all the difference. “Heart disease is often silent until it’s too late. Understanding inflammation gives us another way to act before that happens,” Buena-Bobis said.