The shift toward precision medicine could dramatically change how heart problems are identified and treated in the country.
This was the general consensus among health experts during the 55th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the PHA-PCC on May 29, 2025, at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila.
They pushed for the use of genetic information to fight heart disease—a leading cause of death among Filipinos; and making the genetic tools accessible to ordinary Filipinos.
“Coronary artery disease (CAD) doesn’t wait for symptoms before it strikes,” said Dr. Aimee Yvonne Criselle Aman, a molecular medicine expert and speaker at the event. “By the time many patients feel chest pain, the damage may already be done.”
Aman spoke about Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS), which analyze multiple gene variants to estimate a person’s inherited risk fo CAD. “It’s a tool that can help spot high-risk individuals early—before the illness progresses. This way, we can start prevention earlier, not just treatment,” she said.
She stressed that traditional risk assessments—based on lifestyle and visible symptoms—often miss individuals who have a high genetic risk. “Genetic risk isn’t something you can see in a blood pressure monitor,” Aman added. “PRS offers a deeper look into who might be silently at risk.”
Tailoring Medications to Your Genes
Beyond predicting disease, precision medicine also helps customize treatments. Dr. Felicitas Lacbawan, a pioneer in clinical genetics and pharmacogenomics, explained how a person’s genes can influence their response to common heart medications like statins or clopidogrel.
“Two patients can take the same drug, but their bodies may react in completely different ways,” Lacbawan said in her talk on “Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Antiplatelet and Lipid-Lowering Therapies.” She explained that genetic tests can help doctors choose the safest and most effective drug based on the patient’s unique profile.
She also raised concern about familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition that leads to dangerously high cholesterol levels and often goes undetected. “Around 200,000 Filipinos may have FH, but very few are diagnosed,” she said. “The tragedy is—it’s easy to test and treat” but most people have a lackadaisical attitude towards their health.
Call for Policy Support and Public Access
During the panel discussion, experts said the challenge now lies in making genetic tools accessible to ordinary Filipinos. “We need to bring precision medicine to primary care—not just specialty clinics,” said Dr. Felix Eduardo R. Punzalan, cardiologist, research and a professor at UP-PGH. “Frontline health workers should be equipped with basic knowledge on genetic risk,”.
He added. Dr. John David Tan, a cardiologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center also emphasized affordability and local adaptation. “If we want to prevent heart attacks in the barangay, we need to localize the science and make sure our healthcare system supports it,” he said.
The Future of Cardiology is Personal
Held under the theme Preventive and Promotive Cardiology, the PHA convention brought together top cardiologists, researchers, and public health advocates. The consensus: heart care in the Philippines must move from “one-size-fits-all” to a personalized, proactive approach.
“Precision medicine isn’t about fancy lab tests,” Aman concluded. “It’s about saving lives—by knowing more, acting earlier, and treating smarter.”
With science and technology catching up, Filipino hearts may soon beat stronger thanks to a future where treatment starts not with symptoms, but with a patient’s genes.
Fr. L: Drs. Iris Garcia, Felix Eduardo Punzalan and John David Tan
Fr. L; Drs. Aimee Yvonne Criselle Aman and Felicitas Lacbawan
