Hiballes Adult Wellness Clinic

07/02/2026

SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH AMONG ATHLETES
by Dr. Alan S.Tenerife

Growing up, I often heard stories in our neighborhood about young individuals who suddenly died while playing basketball or shortly after a game. There seemed to be no logical explanation behind these tragedies, but the older folks would often blame it on drinking cold water during or after playing. It’s hard to understand why apparently healthy young athletes would suddenly die under these circumstances.

So, what causes these untimely deaths?

THICKER AIN'T BETTER

In young athletes (less than 35 years old), the most common cause of sudden cardiac death is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). People with HCM have abnormal genes that cause the walls of the left ventricle of the heart to become thickened and stiff. These changes can reduce the amount of blood filling the heart and being pumped into the body with each heartbeat.

At times, the septum or the wall between the left and right ventricles is abnormally thickened, impeding the flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta, a condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This comprises two-thirds of cases of HCM, while the remainder of cases is the nonobstructive type.

SYMPTOMS

Patients with HCM may present with chest pain, exertional dyspnea, palpitations, fatigue, or syncope. Many patients remain asymptomatic.

COMPLICATIONS

HCM may lead to atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other cardioembolic events, heart failure, and the dreaded ventricular fibrillation leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

A notable example is Reggie Lewis, a former basketball player of the Boston Celtics who suddenly went into cardiac arrest during an off-season practice in July 1993. He was only 27 years old, and his demise was attributed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING

Patients with symptoms of HCM should be evaluated by a cardiologist and undergo tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a 2D echocardiogram, which will show the structural changes of HCM.

Features that predict a high risk of death include recent syncope, a history of sudden cardiac arrest related to HCM among first-degree relatives, left ventricular dysfunction (LV ejection fraction less than 50%), or significant thickening of the left ventricular wall (3 cm or more).

First-degree relatives of people diagnosed with HCM should undergo genetic testing and cardiac workup to rule out the presence of HCM since this condition can run in families.

People who participate in high-intensity sports should undergo screening and clearance from cardiologists. Patients diagnosed with HCM can still engage in light to moderate activities but should steer clear of high-intensity, competitive sports to minimize the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

* graphic courtesy of Canva

11/01/2026

You may never see the full story of what your kindness becomes. But God does. A smile. A listening ear. A moment of compassion. These are the small seeds He uses to bring light into places you’ll never fully know. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Be kind now. Let Christ’s love move through you today.

21/12/2025

To my dear patients,
Clinic will only be until Dec 23 for the holidays, then we will resume on Dec 26-30.
Merry Christmas to you and your families!

14/12/2025

Facts on angioplasty and coronary artery disease.

Is Angioplasty a Cure for Coronary Artery Disease?

No, angioplasty and stenting, also called percutaneous coronary intervention, aren’t cures for coronary artery disease. They simply open up blocked arteries but don’t address the root cause, which is atherosclerosis, the plaque buildup and hardening of the coronary arteries. To effectively manage atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart attacks, it’s essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle and use medications that help prevent cholesterol plaque buildup and restenosis in the coronary arteries. Angioplasty is crucial for quickly restoring blood flow to the heart during acute coronary syndromes (heart attacks) or when someone’s angina isn’t relieved by optimal medical therapy. However, it shouldn’t be viewed as a permanent fix for coronary artery disease, nor does it guarantee that a heart attack won’t happen in the future.

12/12/2025

Causes of Death by ranking in the Philippine healthcare for 2025.

1. Ischemic Heart Disease (or heart attack)
2. Neoplasms (or Cancers)
3. Cerebrovascular Accidents (or stroke/head bleed)
4. Pneumonia
5. Diabetes Mellitus

Ischemic Heart Disease or heart attack can be caused primarily by uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, very high cholesterol, smoking, stress and family history for the most common causes. Strokes or head bleed are also caused by the same, to add also congenital AV malformations (abnormal anatomy of brain blood vessels since birth).

Cancers don't seem unlikely. Often caused genetically that run in families, but lifestyle risks also amplify its incidence like smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational hazards., chronic infections. Highly processed foods and chemicals also add to tbe carcinogens that enter our bodies in a daily basis.

Pneumonia makes a common entry as well because of the presence of the vulnerable population (elderly and children), the lack of vaccination in these populations and as a consequence of complications of other medical illnesses such as cancers, chronic heart, lung, kidney and liver diseases, uncontrolled diabetes and many others.

Diabetes makes it to the list. Thanks to early detection and diagnosis in the younger population, the consumption of sugar at frightening levels from sodas, other beverages to highly processed food from the grocery shelves and highly processed carbohydrates. Food can be medicine and a culprit at the same time.

Ultimately, we will realize that our biggest wealth is our health which we have deliberately taken for granted.

Hence, let us take charge of our health. Not our health taking charge of our bodies and how we function. Let food be the medicine that our body needs, not the cause of its death. Move more, control stress levels, sleep more. Avoid sugar, eat less salt and grease. Your body will thank you for it.

📈 Top Health Concerns in the Philippines in 2025

The Philippine Statistics Authority reports the top causes of death in the country for January to April 2025 (Provisional as of 30 September 2025). Leading the list were:

❤️ Ischaemic heart diseases
🔬 Neoplasms
🧠 Cerebrovascular diseases
🌬️ Pneumonia
🩸 Diabetes mellitus

While the numbers reflect ongoing health challenges, they also remind us to take small steps toward better lifestyle choices, regular check-ups, and stronger support for community health.

Stay informed. Stay healthy. 💙

Read more here:
https://psa.gov.ph/content/2025-causes-death-philippines-provisional-30-september-2025

06/11/2025

Agree 💯 The same with Reason, Logic and Common Sense. Simple things that save men from abuse, failure and regret.

05/11/2025

We rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for He continually protects us amidst all these sorrows. 🙏🏻

03/11/2025

"It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life-all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of the spirit in times of great disappointment and loss, all habitual communion with God - depend upon the practice of secret prayer."

~Albert Richardson (The Kneeling Christian 📖)

03/11/2025

Praying for the safety of each and everyone tomorrow from the typhoon and flooding due to expected heavy rains. Please stay vigilant and alert. Listen to and follow all government warnings and disaster orders. God protect and help us. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

25/10/2025

Only in Jesus comes true healing. Trust His will working in people who give help and comfort in times of sickness. He is always within us just waiting for us to ask Him. He is a friend who never fails. 🙏🏻

Never Will I Leave You, Never Willl Forsake You

Hebrews 13:5

19/08/2025

New hypertension guidelines.

Definition and Classification of Blood Pressure from the 2025 Guidelines of the American Heart Association.