The Philippine Department of Health reported a 5 percent increase in cases of stroke, heart disease, and asthma during the 2025 holiday season compared to the previous year. Data released on Wednesday showed that 288 cases of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and bronchial asthma were recorded from December 21 until the early morning of December 31, surpassing the 274 cases logged during the same period in 2024.
Five fatalities were confirmed among the latest figures, consisting of three deaths caused by acute stroke and two resulting from acute coronary syndrome. According to health officials, acute stroke accounted for 180 of the total cases. The most affected demographic was the 60 to 69 age group, which represented 53 of the stroke cases and 28 of the 77 recorded cases of acute coronary syndrome.
Bronchial asthma cases reached 31 during the monitoring period. Health officials noted that children were particularly vulnerable to the condition, with eight cases involving patients aged nine and below. The data was collected from 10 pilot sites nationwide as part of a surveillance program monitoring non-communicable diseases during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Health authorities attributed the spike in these ailments to holiday habits such as overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, and increased stress. To reduce health risks, the agency advised the public to maintain a balanced diet, stay physically active, and monitor blood pressure regularly. The agency also reminded individuals with asthma to avoid environmental triggers like dust and firework smoke, which typically increase during celebrations. The public was urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden numbness and weakness in the body.