More than 130,000 Filipinos die from cardiovascular diseases every year, a figure that continues to rise even among people who maintain normal cholesterol levels, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
New global research suggests that inflammation inside the body may be a more significant driver of heart attacks and strokes than cholesterol itself, posing a hidden threat to Filipinos who appear to live relatively healthy lifestyles.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, presented real-world findings at the recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2025 in Madrid.
The study analyzed patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and showed that those with high levels of inflammation—even those without high cholesterol—face significantly higher risks of heart attacks, strokes and death.
The study specifically found that patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, were more likely to suffer major cardiac events than those with high cholesterol alone.
The 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,” said clinical, medical, regulatory and pharmacovigilance director Dr. Neslie Buena-Bobis at Novo Nordisk Philippines.
Novo Nordisk is a Danish pharmaceutical company.
Dr. Buena-Bobis said 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 said.
“Heart disease is often silent until it’s too late. Understanding inflammation gives us another way to act before that happens,” she said.
Novo Nordisk Philippines general manager Wei Sun said the 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,” said Sun.
