World Hypertension Day: Importance of regular physical activity stressed

MANILA, Philippines - Regular physical activity is one of the simplest and most effective ways to lower the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

This was the key message of Novartis Healthcare Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH), and Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the four partner-stakeholders which led the country’s observance of World Hypertension Day last May 17.

“Over nine million Filipinos suffer from hypertension. Almost three million do not know they have the condition while less than two million are able to keep their blood pressure at normal levels,” said PHA president Dr. Isabelo Ongtenco Jr.

“Regular physical activity lowers your risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, stroke, certain forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. It also helps to control weight, and may help to ease stress, anxiety, and depression,” said PSH president Dr. Dante Morales.

“The DOH lauds its partners for supporting our Healthy Lifestyle Program. We encourage all Filipinos to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five days of the week,” said Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona.

“The good news is that it’s easy to incorporate physical activity in daily life, be it at home or in the workplace. We urge everyone to make health a lifestyle,” said Thomas Weigold, country president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

In line with the 2012 World Hypertension Day theme “Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Blood Pressure,” Novartis Philippines and its partners launched the “Trabahustle (Trabaho+Hustle) Moves” online video contest.

To join the contest, participants and their families need to choreograph and record on video “mini-workouts” or short exercises that can be easily done at home or in the workplace.

The contest is open to residents of the Philippines, aged 18 and above. Family members, including children, are encouraged to join the contestant in the video.

Participants should choreograph and record on video their “Trabahustle Moves,” and think of a creative, catchy name for their moves. Video length should be between 30 seconds and three minutes.

Participants must upload the video to their personal YouTube channel then e-mail the link of their video to [email protected]. Video entries will then be uploaded by the organizers on the Trabahustle Youtube channel. Deadline of submission of entries is June 30.

There will be six weekly draws for minor prizes. Weekly winners will be chosen based on the number of views on YouTube.

A panel of judges will determine the top three videos from a short-list of 10 videos based on the following criteria: originality (25 percent); execution (25 percent); simplicity (20 percent); relevance to theme (20 percent); and creativity and video quality output (10 percent).

From the three best videos, the panel of judges will choose one grand prize winner.

Weekly winners will each receive an Apple iPod Shuffle. The second and third place winners will receive a Nokia Asha cellphone and Nokia 500 cellphone, respectively. The grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad2.

The winners will be announced on July 10. The winning videos will be uploaded on the Trabahustle YouTube channel and Facebook fan page wall.

For full contest rules and mechanics, visit www.novartis.com.ph/trabahustle.