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Cold weather raises the risks of stroke
  • | dtinews.vn | January 03, 2019 04:32 PM
The number of people suffering from strokes has been rising recently due to cold weather according to doctors at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi.


 

Cold weather raises the risks of stroke


Dr Mai Duy Ton at Bach Mai Hospital has warned about the higher risk of strokes from early morning exercises after a man was brought to the hospital. Ton said many people woke up at 4 or 5 am to exercise but they should also watch out for other factors such as weather and their own health.

"The patient was lucky that other people found him lying on the street in time," Ton said. "On such cold days, workout time should be pushed back to 8 to 9 am or 4 to 5 pm. You can exercise indoors instead of going outside. Elderly people and those with high blood pressure or diabetes must take extra precautions."

According to Dr Nguyen Van Chi, they received 130-140 patients during the four-day holiday, up to 40 of which had a stroke. He went on to say that the number of stroke patients often increased by 10-20% during the cold snaps as blood vessels constrict and those with high blood pressure and diabetes have an even higher risk of a stroke.

Chi advised the patients' families and acquaintances to elevate the head, keep the patients' airways clear and bring them to nearest hospitals in case they have a stroke.

However, only a small number of patients were brought to the hospital in the best time, within 4.5-6 hours after having a stroke. This rate in 2016 was 1.5%, 2.5% in 2017 and 3.5% in 2018.

Ton said, "350 patients were admitted to Bach Mai Hospital, in 2018 a huge increase from 2017's 200 patients. Those who came to the hospital quickly will have less expensive treatment and fewer after-effects."

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