The latest in cardiac technology is now at the St. Luke’s Medical Center at the Bonifacio Global City with the opening of Asia’s first Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Center for Congenital Heart Disease.

“Indeed, I am very happy today to be at the opening of your two centers. I’m sure that these centers, being the first in the country, will only not be helping our country men but will also bring honor,” businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco said during the opening rites held recently.

With the latest cutting-edge technology catering specifically to cardiac arrhythmia, the center boasts a high-caliber team of specialists and cardiologists, who were trained abroad and are known for their expertise.

“Through the vision of Dr. Jose Nicolas Cruz [director of the Heart Institute at St. Luke’s-Global City] of bringing this premier service on this hospital, the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center is standing here. The vision of the past is now a reality, and we promise that we will be a do center,” said Dr. Edmund Ang, head of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center.

Cardiac arrhythmia, which refers to any disorder in the heart rate or rhythm, is commonly undetected by regular checkups. One could have cardiac arrhythmia without knowing it—until its symptoms show up. Several factors affect one’s heart rhythm; lifestyle is one, as well as having a heart attack, blood chemistry imbalances or abnormal hormone levels. Some substances or medicines may also cause arrhythmias.

“Not all Filipinos are aware of this heart ailment. Cardiac arrhythmia is when your heartbeat is too fast, too slow or irregular [and] that’s when you come to see us. We have a broad range of tests that we can use to properly diagnose the type of arrhythmia you have, as well as prescribe the proper medication or devices to be used, such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator,” explained Dr. Ang.

“Five to 10 years from now, we aim not only to treat a lot of Filipino patients with cardiac arrhythmia but also educate them with the ailment. We hope to be the best not only in the country but also throughout Asia,” he added.

Congenital heart disease, on the other hand, is a common heart ailment among Filipinos, according to Dr. Jonas del Rosario, head of the Center for Congenital Heart Disease.

“There’s an estimate of eight to 10 for every 1,000 Filipino that will have congenital heart disease—roughly that’s 1 percent,” Dr. del Rosario said. “To give you a better perspective: Every year our country’s birth rate is 2.2 percent. Every year 2 to 3 million Filipinos are born and 20,000 newborn babies will have congenital heart disease. One-third of 20,000—roughly 7,000—must have treatments surgical or nonsurgical.”

St. Luke’s Center for Congenital Heart Disease will be primarily responsible in diagnosing congenital heart diseases from infancy up to adulthood. It is the first in the country to have very advanced imaging modality like three-dimensional echo, cardiac MRI and a team of well-trained cardiologists and congenital heart surgeons.

“Being the first in the country, I would like to have this vision that when we talk about congenital heart disease, the first to be considered will be St. Luke’s. Our vision is not only to be the leader in the Philippines but also to be one of the referral centers in Southeast Asia, or even in Asia. We have to be the pioneer, especially on new treatments for the ailment,” Dr. del Rosario said.

“We also want to have the opportunity to collaborate with other centers, since that’s one way to attain growth. And lastly, we aim to be a good place of advance research. The research outputs should be applicable or relevant with the Philippines,” he added.

The blessing and formal inauguration of the two centers was attended by Cojuangco and his wife, as well as the hospital’s key officers led by president and CEO Jose Ledesma, Dr. Jose Nicolas Cruz, director of Heart Institute, and Dr. Joven R. Cuanang, senior vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer.