THE NATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM The NCVD Prevention and Control Program is a joint

undertaking of the Department of Health and the Philippine Heart Center in consultation with professional and non-government organizations as well as other government agencies. Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the most rapidly escalating diseases in the country today. CVDs are brought about by a multitude of causes and risk factors: - Heredity (other are acquired) - Infection (come are infectious; many are not) - Aging - Unhealthy lifestyles and habits - Under-and-over-nutrition - Environmental factors Unlike many diseases, CVDs are generally progressive and incapacitating particularly if untreated. The quality of life of the victims is severely affected; their families and society are burdened by their illness. OBJECTIVES: Reduction in morbidity and mortality from CVD Reduction in the economic burden of CVD to the individual, the family and the community Improvement in the productivity and quality of life of CVD cases PROGRAM COMPONENTS: 1. Community-Based Prevention and control of CVD morbidity and mortality through: Increasing awareness of the community on CVD and their causes Elevating the CVD knowledge, attitudes and practices of the people Improving the recognition, diagnosis and management of the CVD at the community level Initiation of community rehabilitation of CVD patients Improvement of the registration system for CVD 2. School-Based Development of healthy lifestyle, prevention of adult CVD and control of CVD morbidity and mortality among school children through:

Integration of teaching of CVD in school curriculum Institution of anti-smoking measures in high schools Provision of CVD services in school health Screening of high risk school children

3. Industry-based Adoption of healthy lifestyle, reduction of CVD risk and improvement in productivity and quality of life of CVD cases in the working population through: Promotion of healthy lifestyle among workers Identification and management of workers with high CVD risk Provision of medical care for CVD cases Creation of a healthy social climate and environment in industrial companies 4. Hospital-Based Improvement in the outcome of CVD and in the productivity and social life of CVD cases through: Increasing the awareness among patients, their families and the general public of the measures which they can take to prevent cardiovascular diseases and minimize their effects, if disease is present. Improvement in the detection and diagnosis of CVD in all levels of the hospital system Improvement in the management of CVD cases at the different levels of the hospitals system Systematic referral mechanism for CVD