Our membership is comprised of over 2,000 medical health providers, as well as non-medical individuals and 13 corporate members from pharmaceutical companies involved in promoting health. Through the years, the PSH has been actively looking for ways to increase awareness of hypertension among the lay population, improve knowledge among practitioners and encourage research among students and professionals alike:

The years 1993 to 1997 were distinguishing milestones in the development of PSH as a society.

• The first joint annual convention of PSH and Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) transpired on 10-11 February 1995 Edsa Shangri-La Hotel with the participation of visiting luminaries from ISH. This was the first time that a medical society meeting was simultaneously-telecast in four cities: Manila, Davao City, Cebu City and Legaspi City.
• The society participated in the World Conference on Hypertension Control held on 22-24 June 1995 in Ottawa, Canada, sponsored by the WHL dedicated to promote the detection, control and prevention of arterial hypertension.
• PSH created a workshop on “Hypertension Control: Setting an Agenda for Multi-Sectoral Collaboration” held on 12 August 1995 at the Developmental Academy of the Phils., Pasig City, which aimed to identify priority issues or concerns in hypertension control that should be addressed in the Philippines and to convene multi-sectoral task forces that would draft guidelines for addressing these priorities.
• The Society initiated a workshop on “Consensus Building and Guideline Development on 28 October 1995 at the Don Jacinto Building in Makati City, initiating the creation and development of clinical guidelines that would help health providers in translating science and research into action.
• The second joint annual convention of PSH and PLSA was held together with the Second Pacific Rim Conference on February 1, 1996 at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel with the cooperation of world-renowned speakers. This time, the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH) was organized and born --and PSH’s very own Dr. Abarquez became a member of the board for APSH.
• In 1997, this society hosted the 2nd Pacific Rim Conference on Hypertension Control --where the completed Philippine Hypertension Guidelines was presented and distributed to all practicing Filipino doctors, and subsequently published in the 1997 Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine.

1998 to 2000 highlighted the collaboration of PSH with other societies on creating and developing projects with the desire to achieve common goals of health promotion and disease prevention.

• The society participated in the 7th World Congress of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention which transpired on 20-24 February 2000 at Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila. This was in collaboration with PDA, PSEM and Philippine Society of Obesity and Overweight. The topics were focused on atherosclerosis, highlighting its current concepts and clinical therapeutic implications.
• In 2000, the president of the society, Dr. Abarquez, presented the PSH Hypertension Control Program to the Congress and in the Regional World Hearth League (WHL) and Second International Symposium on Hypertension and Related Diseases in Beijing China.
• Several research studies and surveys were also supported by the Society in collaboration with other societies:
• The S.E.X. – H.D.L. – A Family Affair Research Study was conducted by this society in Albay with the support of the Dr. Elias S. Imperial Foundation and DOH. The objective is to determine the awareness and detection of risk factors such as Smoking, over Eating and Exercise-lack (S.E.X.) of Hypertension, Diabetes and Lipidemia (H.D.L) at different education levels and industry-based worksites.
• The Survey on the Prevalance of Coronary Risk Factors in Patients with Other Pre-Existing Disease was conducted by the society in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Bank (PNB). The objectives were 1) to determine the prevalence of coronary risk factors on sub-sample of Filipinos and 2) to determine the mean BMI, mean lipid profile and fasting blood sugar on a sub-sample of Filipinos.
• The Hypertension Guidelines Survey was a nationwide survey created by the society among academic medical institutions with the objective of determining if they follow practice guidelines on hypertension.

2001 highlighted the changes and new activities that exemplified the continuous growth of PSH

• Conceptualizing and Launch of the PSH-Therapharma Yolando Q.M. Sulit Young Investigator’s Award. The aim is to give due recognition to outstanding scientific research accomplishment by a resident or fellow in training on hypertension in a specialty-accredited training institution in the country. The rewarded prize consisted of a plaque and a substantial cash award.
• In cooperation with Pfizer, the PSH website was constructed in an effort to bring the society closer to their members through the facilities of internet.

• Several surveys were also promoted by the Society:
• Survey on the “Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors among School children in Metro Manila” was created with the joint efforts of this society and Philippine Academy of Private School Physicians Inc. (PAPSHI). Primary objective is to determine the prevalence of hypertension among children aged 12 years and above enrolled in elementary and high schools in Metro Manila.
• The society collaborated with the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Philippine Lipid Society (PLS), Philippine Hearth Association, Stroke Society of the Philippines, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and other component societies for the 6th National Nutrition Survey, Philippines: Clinical Phase”. This was a nationwide survey of randomized barangays using dietary habits, anthropometric measurement, BP determination, stroke and chest pain questionnaires, cholesterol and blood sugar determination.

2003: PSH reached its 10th year and continued to prosper.

• Successful 8th joint annual convention of this society themed “Hand in Hand in Health” transpired in 2003 which gathered together 24 diverse medical and healthcare organizations to tackle Disseminated Atherosclerosis.
• The society launched and organized the Philippine Hypertension Specialist Program which is a 48-hour program aimed to equip doctors with the needed clinical knowledge for effective management of hypertension and other related disorders. ¬There were 300 doctors who graduated from this program in 2003.
• PSH supported the 5th congress of the Asian Union for Microcirculation (AUM) through sponsorship of a scientific symposium held on February 20-23, 2003 at Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel. The session title was “Hypertension” which was co-sponsored with Therapharma, Inc.
• First certification exam for hypertension specialist was conducted on 25 October 2003. 22 out of the 33 physicians who took the exam passed.
• PSH announced the society’s membership benefits like access to the HYPERLINK (the official PSH-PLAS) Newsletter, discounted rates for the annual conventions, discounts on hypertension and lipid-lowering drugs in selected malls.
• The society joined the 6th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) through its Clinical and Health component or the National Nutrition and Health survey I: 2003 (NNHeS I: 2003) which was spearheaded by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Health (DOH), and 14 medical specialty organizations. This activity aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors and diseases and chronicle the health status of Filipinos from two years old and above.

2004 showed the society’s evident expansion and advancement under the management of Dr. Esperanza Cabral as new PSH president.

• In collaboration with UP-PGH Group, the society supported the “Survey on Family-Oriented Treatment of Hypertension (FORT HPN)”. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of risk factors among hypertensive patients and their house members and to determine the compliance of patient’s household to cardiovascular risk screening.
• In joint activity with Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP) and Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), the society supported the 1st Hypertension Courses For Nurses transpired on November 19, 2004. This is in pursuant to the society’s mission of providing training to allied health professionals in appropriate hypertension care.
• The society participated the “Course on Diabetes and Vascular Diseases” held on October 15-16, 2004 at Century Park Sheraton. This is in collaboration with Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA), Council on Complications and Asian Pacific Congress Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases (APSAVD), Philippine Lipid Society (PLS), and Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO).

2005 highlighted the society’s continued commitment in promoting heightened hypertension awareness and knowledge to health professionals and the common public.

Dr. Nelson S. Abelardo became president of PSH from 2006 to 2007

• On February 2007, the society accepted the invitation to be enlisted in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Registry of Volunteers on Disaster Risk Management and Response. The registry served as the national database of volunteers who shall respond to various disaster operations and give emergency aid to victims in disaster emergency situations in the country.
• In joint efforts with Glaxo SmithKline, the society supported the Symposium on Hypertension from February to March 2007 held at different locations such as Cebu Plaza Hotel, Tagaytay Taal Vista Lodge and Clark Field Pampanga. The society aimed to provide front-line health care providers with a multidisciplinary approach and expertise in the management of hypertension.
• The society continued to participate in the global celebration of World Hypertension Day which was held every May 14 of each year.
• PSH board advances the society’s action plan program through strategic planning meeting on July 21-22, 2007. The society’s program of action in the next two years was put in capsule from the acronym ADVOCATES, which stands for the following:
  

Aim to narrow gap between guidelines and practice
Develop locally attuned guidelines
Vision and Mission will be inculcated in all
Online updates and communications thru PSH Website
Create, compile and publish all research outputs
Asset management and fund-raising for increasing available funds for projects
Take to heart our role as advocates that influence behaviour, policy-making and legislation
Encourage the development of hypertension training programs and PRO-HEALTH clinics
Synergize and forge alliance with all who share our vision

With Dr. Rafael R. Castillo as new PSH president in 2008, the society pursued their dedication in raising hypertension awareness and in elevating the health practitioner’s approach in management of hypertension.

• PSH collaborated with Novartis for significant activities about hypertension:
• PSH-Novartis High Blood Infoline was created with a main objective of reducing the rising prevalence of hypertension in the country which was launched on May 17, 2008.
• PSH-Novartis Hypertension Awareness Campaign Among Students – Global Online Video Competition Among Students was fabricated in attempts of broadening the scope of hypertension awareness.
• With the support of other pharmaceutical companies, the society also conducted a nationwide Blood Pressure Awareness Campaign. This activity focused on BP measurements in public places such as malls, shopping centers, markets and churches etc. which aims to promote knowledge and awareness of hypertension to the public.
• The society showed its continued support by participating again on the 3rd National Healthcare Expo, on August 31 to September 2, 2008.
• PSH participated in the 51st National Medicine Week Celebration spearheaded by Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on September 21-27, 2008. The theme: “Mangagamot, Mamayan at Pamahalaan, Nagkakaisa sa Kalusugan.” As part of this celebration, PSHP co-sponsored a free clinic on September 10, 2008 at Watsons Stores in SM Malls in Ortigas and Quezon City.
• The society continued to support research studies and surveys related to cardiovascular healthcare.

• In joint activity with Collins International Trading Corp., they participated in the Validation and Accreditation of the Omron Automated Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices. The validation and accreditation of Omron’s two digital BP monitoring devices (Omron SEM-1 and 1A2) was officially announced on July 10, 2008 at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.
• On August 13, 2008, the society board members agreed to fund One Million Pesos as seed money for its research grants to further stimulate local researchers on hypertension and other related diseases.
• The society conducted validation studies for the “Anthropometric, Socio-Economic and Novel marker evaluation for determination and Reduction in atherosclerosis burden and risk (ASEAN RISK STUDY). This study was designed to correlate development of cardiovascular risk factors with psycho-socioeconomic conditions among 3,000 Filipino subjects over a 5-year period. This study would also be conducted in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
• The society jointed the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS): Clinical and Health Component or the NNHes II: 2008 study intended to update the data on the prevalence of some of the most common diseases like stroke, angina pectoris and claudication, as well as the prevalence of risk factors like smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes.

In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Proclamation No 1761 declared the month of May each year as the “National Hypertension Awareness Month”. This year also marked Dr. Abdian V. Aquino as new PSH president.

• The society cooperated in the Medical Symposium of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on May 23, 2009 by talking about the topic “Hypertension and Coronary Health Disease” at the LTO main office in Quezon City.
• PSH was invited to conduct a lecture about risk and prevention of hypertension on the activities “Be well with Cory Quirino” transpired on May 28-29, 2009 and Department of Health Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) on September 23, 2009.

• On August 1, 2009, the society jointed the workshops on Hypertension in Mulumuki and Xian in China, organized by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), APSH and the Chinese Hypertension League.
• PSH donated Php 10,000 for “Ondoy and Pepeng” victims in September 2009.
• During the 2009 Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the society won the bid to host the 2014 APSH meeting.



Dr. Abdias V. Aquino
2009 - 20111

PSH continued to express their strong commitment in disseminating hypertension information to the Filipino society.

PSH continued to contribute on activities of government and non-government organizations:

• On May 6, 2010, the society participated in the DOH take-off Press Conference in celebration of the 2010 WHD and the National Hypertension Awareness Month (NHAM). Theme of the event was “Bantay Hypertension, Tamang Timbang, Normal na Presyon (Sukatin ang Bewang, Kumain ng Prutas at Gulay, Regular na Ehersisyo, Bawasan and Asin”. PSH discussed about Hypertension prevalence data, control, detection and management.
• The society participated in the 101th PMA Annual Convention on May 19-21, 2010 at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel by contributing to symposiums with topics including Guidelines on Hypertension, Lipids and Coronary Artery Disease.
• On the John F. Cotton Clinics’ (MERALCO) Lay Forum on May 19, 2010, the PSH president conducted a lay forum for Merlaco employees.
• PSH accepted the invitation of UNITE for Diabetes Philippines to become a member of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Working Group for Diabetes. The first meeting transpired on July 9, 2010.
• The society supported a press conference on Eliminating Mercury Usage by 2010 to promote SAFE and GREEN healthcare in the Philippines as a joint project with Omron Philippines, Healthcare Without Harm, and Watsons Philippines on September 3, 2010.
• PSH participated in the training conducted for DOH hospitals’ chief nutritionists and dietitians on October 25-26, 2010. The training focused on the current trends/issues and update on nutrition and dietetics.

In 2011, Dr. Dante D. Morales became president of PSH.

• Slides-On-Line Medinfo Connect (SOLMIC) was launched and disseminated during the 16th joint annual convention on February 9-11, 2011. The SOLMIC provided PSH members access to the abstracts and lectures of the joint annual convention.
• PSH became a member of the DOH Philippine National Drug Formulary Committee on March 5, 2011.
• The society participated in the Asia Regional Conference on Mercury-Free Health Care on March 15, 2011. This was organized by Health Care Without Harm, WHO and the UNDF-GEF Global Healthcare Waste Project which aimed to develop stronger networking of health care leaders committed to mercury-free health care in the region.
• On March 19, 2011. PSH collaborated with Philippine Heart Association (PHA) council on Hypertension in coming out with a position statement on the mercurial BP phaseout.
• The society continued to participate in the World Hypertension Day celebrated every year during the month of May. This year’s theme was “Know Your Numbers, Target Your Blood Pressure” which aimed to encourage Filipinos from all age groups to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

• In October 2, 2011, the society launched the Hypertension Caravan Program at Heroes Hall, San Fernando Municipal Hall, San Fernando Pampanga. This project is created as part of the Continuing Medical Education Program of PSH which aimed to increase hypertension awareness, prevention, control and management to both medical and non-medical practitioners. This was planned to be held three times a year in selected areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
• The society participated in the Regional Congress of the World Hypertension League (WFL) and the 13th International Symposium on Hypertension and Related Diseases held in Beijing, China on November 3-6, 2011. Dr. Lynn Gomez, the society’s secretary, was among the invited official speakers of this event.
• PSH supported the study “Renal Function and Albuminuria in a Hypertensive and/ or Diabetic Filipino Population: Results of the National Nutrition and Health Survey II (NNHeS: II) by the Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, UP-College of Medicine by granting the proposed budget of Php 50,000.

2012 marked the enduring passion of PSH in the control of hypertension in the Philippines.

• The society continued to participate in the WHD celebration held yearly by partaking in the launching of the Trabahustle Video Contest, aimed to generate greater public awareness on hypertension and its link to diabetes.
• During the meeting with SSS held on June 20, 2012, the society aided in the drafting of the SSS-Enhanced Guidelines in the grant of medical benefits of SSS Members.
• PSH participated in the 2012 International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and 9th Asian Pacific Congress of Hypertension Meeting transpired from September 30 to October 3 at Sydney Convention Center, Sydney Australia.
• This year marked the society’s affiliation with the American Society of Hypertension, through the membership of the PSH Board of Trustees.
• In joint activity of the society and Iligan Medical Society, this year launched the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program, which aimed to describe the benefits of the PSH HPN Caravan activities.
• The Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) invited the society to become a partner organization for their Research Agenda on Obesity Risk-Free Philippines.

2013 saw greater efforts of the PSH under Dr. Romeo Divinagracia in reaching out to the community about the importance of hypertension awareness:

• A Hypertension Caravan Program was conducted to allow the community itself to assume responsibility and accountability for reducing the burden of hypertension and all its sequelae (heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure).
• Several research studies and surveys were also supported by the Society:
• The study ‘Final Report of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program (CRRP): A Pilot Study Evaluation Multiple Risk Factor Intervention to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease’ a joint activity of PSH and Iligan Medical Society (IMS), involved conducting educational activities for both doctors and patients, identifying patients with a high 10-year cardiovascular risk and evaluating the effectiveness of multiple risk factor interventions to control risk factors in high-risk patients. However, a large dropout limited the study and in those who complete the program, their Framingham risk score got even worse.
• The PST contributed Php200,000 for the 8th National Nutrition Survey – Clinical and Health Component or the National Nutrition and Health Survey III (NNHeS III: 2013).
• Data collection was started again for the Update on Life Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (LIFECARE) Study.
• The Society also oversaw the publication of several local studies in prestigious local and international journals, including the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine, Philippine Journal of Neurology, the Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research Journal, the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, the Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies and the Asia Pacific Allergy.
• The Society purchased a property to house the PSH and PLAS offices and conference facilities at the Strata 100 building, and interior designing was initiated on March 2013.
• The PSH participated in several activities by other medical organizations:
• The Society participated in the Training Workshop on ‘Health in All Policies (HiAP)’ of the DOH on 10–12 April 2013 at the Ascott Hotel, Makati City, to strengthen the capacity to implement and promote a whole-systems approach to health and to equip participants to be policy champions for HiAP.
• The Society participated in the scientific program and social program of the 44th PHA Annual Convention on 29–31 May 2013 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig.
• The Society assisted in updating the Philippine National Drug Formulary with the DOH National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management (NCPAM) on 3 June 2013.
• The Society attended the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists – Philippine Chapter (AACE-PC) 5th consecutive Joint Convention with its mother organization on 1–3 August 2013 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City.

2014 saw further growth of the Society

• In collaboration with the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS), the Philippine Heart Association, the Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Medical Association and the Department of Health, the PSH hosted the 10th Asia Pacific Congress of Hypertension (APCH) on 12–15 February 2014. This is the official congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension, which has become one of the largest and most reputable organizations on hypertension in the Asia Pacific region. This included world-renowned speakers from the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the USA and other countries to present latest developments in hypertension and related disciplines. Over 1,000 delegates from Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and Oceania attended the event.

• The Society continued to participate in the different activities of private and public organizations:

• Evaluation of the HEM 7130, HEM 7332 and HEM 7120 models of Omron Automated Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring Device was concluded and all obtained PSH validation and accreditation.
• The ‘BP ng Teacher Ko, Alaga Ko’ survey was continued, with the study targeted to conclude by December 2015.
• The Society sent official representatives for the ad hoc committee of the PHA Specialty Board of Adult Cardiology.
• The Society attended the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) Continuing Medical Education (CME) Commission to update PMA professional growth and the scientific sessions of the 2014 PMA Annual Convention.
• The Society participated in the World Health Organization (WHO)-Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) session on ‘Overall Risk Approach and WHO Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Low-Resistance Settings (WHO-Pen)’ during the 44th PCP Annual Convention at the SMX Convention Center on 5 May 2014.

Dr. Lynn Gomez became the president of the PSH beginning 2015

• Researches also continued to expand:
• The results of the 8th Nutrition and Health Survey III (NNHeSIII: 2013) would be presented and compared with the previous years.
• The Philippine group conducting the LIFECARE Study was able to publish some baseline data in both local and international journals. These highlighted the socio-ecological and health profile of the different Philippine study sites; stress profile of the Philippine cohort; taste preference; prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome; and validation of the SF-36 questionnaire in Filipinos.
• The new PSH office at Unit 1108H 11th floor Strata 100 was inaugurated on 18 April 2015.

In 2016, the number of hypertension specialists increased from 458 to 478.

• A joint Press Conference and PSH-PCP Joint Health Forum was held on 17 May 2016 at Annabelle’s Restaurant to kick off the 2016 WHD and NHAM celebrations.
• With the same theme ‘#BantayBP (Know Your Blood Pressure)’ as last year, the actual celebration was held at the Dapitan Sports Complex, as was attended by 533 delegates.

• The Society had a joint activity with the FNRI to obtain preliminary data on salt to determine a local recommendation regarding salt intake to further emphasize the high recognition of the importance of reducing salt intake.
• Two working groups were formally established able to involve its members and hypertension specialists in its various events/activities, especially those events/activities to be conducted regionally. These are comprised of the Northern Luzon Working Group and the Southern Luzon Working Group.

International collaborations continued:

• Researches on 8th National Nutrition Survey: 2013 and Its Health Component and LIFECARE continued, and the validation and accreditation of the Omron, Phils. Automated Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices was extended.
• External activities were also conducted:
• The FNRI the Society to become a member of the Technical Working Group in their Workshop on the Development and Nutrition Practice Guidelines (NPGs) for Primary Care Setting to develop nutrition practice guidelines for primary setting to assist providers of nutrition care and guide patients/clients’ decisions about appropriate care for specific nutrition conditions.
• The Society was also invited by the FNRI-Department of Science and Technology at the 2016 APEC Philippine Workshop on Translating STI to Policy.
• The Society participated as one of the health groups who officially issued an appeal to President Duterte to stop anti-health amendments in the Sin Tax Law (House Bill 4144). This aimed to support the proposal of health groups to maintain the single tax rate and increase it to P40 per pack, regardless of price or brand to prevent smokers and would-be-smokers from shifting to low-priced brands and prevent them from getting life-threatening illnesses that these products cause.

In 2017, Dr Alberto Atilano took over as the president of the PSH