TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines: A health specialist warned of a possible increase in stroke cases as the holiday season approaches, noting a yearly trend of patients being rushed to the hospital after Christmas parties and celebrations.
East Avenue Medical Centre (EAMC) Emergency Department and Trauma Center chief Dr. Maria Veronica Datinguinoo told the Philippine News Agency that stroke admissions typically begin to climb in December, coinciding with a spike in gatherings, alcohol intake, lack of sleep and poor adherence to maintenance medications.
Data from EAMC showed a steady rise in stroke cases since 2020:
• 2020: 188 cases
• 2021: 226 cases
• 2022: 247 cases
• 2023: 328 cases
"Usually, it starts during Christmas parties. After drinking, they forget to take their maintenance medicines,” Datinguinoo said on the sidelines of a media conference about healthy holidays and cancer.
“They think that their headache is caused by a hangover, but it is not, their blood pressure is already shooting up,” she added.
The official noted that many holiday-related stroke cases involve individuals who dismiss warning signs, assuming symptoms are due to drinking or fatigue.
Lack of sleep, stress from holiday preparations and poor health-seeking behaviour further increase the risk.
Despite the growing number of cases, Datinguinoo said the EAMC is fully equipped as a stroke-ready hospital, with complete imaging facilities, including MRI and CT scan machines, and immediate access to clot-busting medication that can dissolve blockages within the critical four-hour “golden window.”
“Since we are a government facility, the medicine is readily available and already charged to the bill. But because of zero balance billing, even if the patient is in the intensive care unit, they won’t have to pay anything,” she said.
She also reminded the public to practice moderation during holiday feasts, especially those with known high cholesterol levels or existing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Individuals with high cholesterol levels are encouraged to take their medicines even in the absence of symptoms as it could lead to high blood pressure level.
Additionally, health experts warned that uncontrolled cholesterol and blood sugar levels make the blood thick, increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.
Both the heart and brain are at risk when blood vessels suddenly fail.
The EAMC has seen stroke patients as young as 23 years old, many of whom work in call centres and experience chronic sleep deprivation.
Some resort to drinking alcohol to fall asleep during the day so they can function during night shifts, compounding the risk.
Citing that stroke can strike at any age and holidays are not exemptions, Datinguinoo urged the public to maintain medications, limit alcohol, ensure adequate rest and seek immediate medical care for any warning signs to decrease stroke cases. - PNA via Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
