How is Gardo Versoza following his recent heart attack?

Despite Gardo Versoza's healthy and active lifestyle, he was rushed to the hospital two months ago due to a heart attack.

In the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Gardo recounted his most recent health scare to Jessica Soho.

He said that it started with sudden back pains when he embarked on long bike rides.

"Siguro mga two or three weeks after, nagkaroon nung sudden pain sa upper back," he said. "Unbearable 'yung pain. Akala ko, pagod or kaya ngawit lang."

("A few weeks after, I felt pain in my upper back. It was unbearable. At first, I thought it was just muscle fatigue.")

Gardo said the pain kept recurring, so he decided to have himself checked by a specialist who suggested he take an ECG and Chest X-Ray.

"Nakita sa ECG medyo erratic 'yung heartbeat. Feeling ko, mukhang medyo mabigat 'tong kinakaharap ko," he said.

"Na-confirm nila na dalawang arteries 'yung barado. ‘Yung pinaka-main avenue ng heart na blood vessel niya, 'yun 'yung 100% na-block," he added.

("The ECG revealed that my heartbeat was erratic. The doctors were also able to confirm that my two arteries were blocked.")

Aside from Gardo's trending dance routines while wearing heels on TikTok, he is also a gym rat and cyclist, which, according to his doctor, has helped him tame the heart attack.

"Actually sinabi nu’ng doktor na, 'Kung hindi ganyan ang lifestyle mo, malamang dire-diretso ka na pagka-atake,'" Gardo said.

("The doctor actually said that if it wasn't for my active lifestyle, my condition would’ve been worse.")

At the same time, his doctor advised that biking long routes, which could go from 100 km to 200 km, isn't healthy anymore.

"Sabi niya, for my age, 'Pinu-push mo na masyado 'yung puso mo,'" he said. "Totoo rin nga 'yung kasabihan na, 'di ba, lahat ng sobra, masama."

("The doctor said that I was pushing myself too hard and that too much of anything is bad.")

In April, Gardo successfully got out of the operation and has been recovering since Holy Week. But he must undergo another procedure since he still has a clogged artery.

He said he's hoping to get his heart operation done this month. But before then, he decided to sell some of his gym equipment to earn funds before the procedure and, at the same time, raise funds for charity.

"Hindi ko naman puwedeng iasa lahat doon sa work ko. So kailangan kong maghanap nung ibang means para di ba in a way, makatulong din ako dun sa iba," he said.

"Feeling ko makakatulong ako dun sa mga gustong-gusto talagang mag-workout na di ba parang kung bibili sila sa iba mas mapapamahal," he added. "Bukod dun, binawalan din ako ng doktor na magbuhat ng masyadong mabigat."

("I wanted to look for other means to help other people. Selling my gym equipment would be beneficial for those who want to workout. It's not like I could keep using them either, since my doctor advised me not to lift heavy weights.")

Dr. Regidor Encabo, a certified Cardiologist, said the most common symptom of cardiovascular disease is chest pain.

"Makirot, masakit, umaakyat sa panga, umaakyat sa balikat o nasa mga braso. Kasabay nun, nagpapawis nang malamig 'yung pasyente," Dr. Encabo described.

("You first feel it in your chest, then it goes up to your jaw, shoulder or even your arms. Patients also experience cold sweat.")

The doctor also advised men and women aged 40 and above to monitor their health closely, especially their cholesterol levels.

"Alamin din kung ang sugar mo ay tumataas. Sila kasi 'yung mga risk factors," he  said.

"Smoking talagang directly related ‘yan sa pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso. At saka 'yung family history," he added.

("We should have our blood sugar levels regularly checked. Smoking is also directly related to heart diseases. Family history also plays a part in an individual's risk for heart disease.")

Meanwhile, Gardo is currently preparing to undergo another angioplasty procedure. To give him courage, his co-stars Sanya Lopez, Gabby Concepcion, Jak Roberto, Jaclyn Jose, Rayver Cruz, and Allan Paule gave messages of support.

"After nung mga ganung mga pangyayari, lalong pinatitibay 'yung relasyon namin. Mas lumakas 'yung faith namin."

("After everything that happened, I feel like our family became closer and our faith in God became stronger.")

True to Gardo's humor, he also had a quick TikTok collab with Jessica Soho.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News