ZUELLIG PHARMA LAUNCHES ONE FAMILY, ONE HEART, ONE GOAL BLOGGERS EVENT By: Dr. Ver M. Garcia (Medical Journalist) and Teddy Cho (Photo Journalist)

CREATING AWARENESS FOR CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASE & REUNION OF WRITERS ONLINE (BLOGGERS). To my beloved Classic Bloggers. I am very happy to see you all at this reunion, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City on the occasion of Zuellig Pharma and Amgen campaign for One Family, One Heart, One Goal. Photo credited to Joy Mendiola. In this photo were all happy and smiling from Left to Right are George Nava True II, Ver Garcia, Armi Paz Pineda, Cheryl Tru, Sol Razo, Jacqueline Mercado, Joy Mendiola, Leilani Banzon, Eihdra Gatchalian, Macy Santos and David Valencia Ferro (kneeling). (VGBlogs)

The Medical Journal inputs that heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), and heart defects if you're born with (congenital heart defects), among others.

The term "heart disease" is often used interchangeably with the term "Cardiovascular disease'' (CVD) which generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease. 

Family support and connections are the keys to helping to help patients traumatized by health challenges. Family members who are equipped with more information about cardiovascular diseases(CVD) such as hyperlipidemia can help patients take actions to prevent health risks and overcome their health dilemma. This is the main reason why Zuellig Pharma Corporation, Amgen Philippines and the classic bloggers forged an alliance and cooperation to help improve awareness in cardiovascular diseases with educational initiatives to achieve the goal of changing the way CVD is managed and prevented.

In Photo from Left to Right, Dr. Ver M. Garcia, Suzette Atanante, Senior-Product Manager Zuellig Commercial Solution and Jacqui Mercado, Event coordinator.

In the Philippines alone, there were more than 130,000 deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases in 2016. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) complications with many risks factors should make every family member aware of its complexities. One such risk is known as ''Dyslipidemia", which occurs when one has abnormal levels of lipids profile in the blood. Lipids, or fats, are essential in providing energy to the cells while cholesterol is vital in the production of hormones and bile acids for healthy digestion. Those who suffered from a stroke, myocardial infarction(MI), coronary heart diseases and peripheral blockage due to low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) must undergo a cholesterol blood testing. Total cholesterol count has three components namely: 1.) High-density lipoprotein(HDL) also known as the good cholesterol  2.) Triglyceride (should be Normal) too high could lead to diabetes 3.) Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) which blocks the blood flow. Lowering the LDL-C also lowers a person chance of developing CVD.

Zuellig Pharma in partnership with Amgen launches One Family, One Heart one Goal Blogging Event at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Emerald Function Room in Pasig City.

The standard treatment for lowering LDL-C are statins, but there are cases wherein statins are not enough. Having access to new and innovative treatments in the management of "Dyslipidemia" can make the difference for patients who are not able to achieve their lipid goals with a statin alone. PCSK9 inhibitor is the third option if a statin is no longer working or there is statin intolerance.

Let's prevent critical thrombosis, the main concern of having strokes. The most dangerous thing is to have arteriosclerosis or hardening of veins of patients that will result in a dangerous thrombosis or the clotting of blood that blocks the veins of the brain or the heart, leading to a stroke. 

Introducing PCSK9 inhibitors: A new era of lipid-lowering therapy

It's newly launched in the Philippine market, but PCSK9 is already three years in the global market.

AN ABSTRACT from the Wold of Journal of Cardiology, states that,

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The recent American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines on lipid management emphasize the treatment of individuals at increased risk for developing CVD events with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) at doses proven to reduce CVD events. However, there are limited options for patients who are either intolerant to statin therapy, develop CVD despite being on maximally tolerated statin therapy, or have severe hypercholesterolemia. Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two novel medications for low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol reduction: Evolocumab and Alirocumab. These agents target and inactivate proprotein convertase subtilsin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a hepatic protease that attaches and internalizes LDL receptors into lysosomes hence promoting their destruction. By preventing LDL receptor destruction, LDL-C levels can be lowered 50%-60% above that achieved by statin therapy alone. This review explores PCSK-9 biology and the mechanisms available to alter, with clinical trials targeting PCSK9 activity, and the current state of clinically available inhibitors of PCSK9.

With the patient at the heart of what we do, Amgen Philippines Inc. and Zuellig Pharma Corporation are committed to improving the lives of patients struggling with dyslipidemia by helping them and their families to take the necessary steps and actions to prevent and manage their health risk under the careful supervision of health professionals. (VGarciaBlogs)