Stroke cases hit over 300 this holiday season – DOH

The number of people suffering from stroke amid the holiday season has increased to over 300, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

Based on data from eight sentinel sites monitored by the DOH, recorded stroke cases surged from 12 on December 23, 2024 to 146 on January 2, 2025. Of the 146 cases, two patients died.

Meanwhile, there were 140 stroke patients logged at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and 41 others at the Tondo Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) logged 140 stroke patients, while the Tondo Medical Center recorded 41.

Most of the patients were aged 45 to 64.

ACS, asthma

The DOH also said cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from the sentinel sites increased from only two on December 22 to 74 as of January 2.

One patient reportedly died due to ACS—a condition associated with sudden changes in blood flow to the heart.

The cases of bronchial asthma in DOH's sentinel sites also climbed from six on December 22, to 80 by January 2. Most of the cases were children aged 0 to 9.

Forty-six bronchial asthma cases were also recorded at PGH, while 11 were from the Tondo Medical Center.

"Ang pagpapanatili naman ng malusog na katawan ay dapat ding paigtingin ng bawat isa ngayong taon. Start the year right and make better choices for health—tamang pagkain, ehersisyo at disiplina sa katawan ay dapat gawin ng para maiwasan ang malalang sakit," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa reminded.

(Maintaining a healthy body should also be observed by everyone this year. Start the year right and make better choices for health—eat proper food, exercise, and discipline the body to prevent chronic diseases.)

The DOH earlier said it alerted hospitals in monitoring diseases related to the so-called Holiday Heart Syndrome amid the festivities during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

According to the DOH, the Holiday Heart Syndrome is a condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption, stress, lack of rest, and eating too much salty or fatty foods that may increase blood pressure. — VDV, GMA Integrated News