Fighting heart disease with early detection

MANILA, Philippines -  What can be more heroic than risking one’s life as our soldiers do, especially when they are out in the field protecting our people?

This is why the Army General Hospital (AGH), in providing adequate and high-quality medical services to all army personnel from different field units nationwide, their family members, and civilian employees, continues to exert efforts to upgrade its equipment and facilities. It recently acquired the non-invasive SA-3000 PhytoMax monitor that can detect in just five minutes one’s stress level and the likelihood of any cardiovascular disease. AGH is the first hospital in the country to have the SA-3000 PhytoMax monitor.

“PhytoMax will be used for the annual physical fitness test (PFP) of soldiers, including those lined up for training, promotion, and in pre-screening applicants and new recruits,” said Col. Mariano Mejia, chief surgeon of the Army General Hospital.

Col. Mejia said that PhytoMax will be helpful in monitoring the fitness level of soldiers who, like any human being, are susceptible to physical and mental stress, with some even succumbing to heart attack during training, due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise.

The SA-3000 PhytoMax monitor is used to test for the body’s vascular condition by means of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Accelerated Photoplethysmography (APG) while the patient is at relaxed mode and there is no induced stress.

PhytoMax can detect probable plaque formation in the arterial walls that is usually attributed to atherosclerosis. The machine also provides possible indicators of poor arterial elasticity due to a stressful lifestyle or signs of vascular aging that affects blood flow.

The machine is distributed by PhytoPharma, Inc., a leading health and wellness company offering a range of plant-based pharmaceutical products and medical equipment.

PhytoPharma, Inc., located at 18 Gen. Roxas Ave., New Frontier Building, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, can be reached through 441-8690 and www.phytopharma.com.ph.