Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. Inquirer file photo/Richard A. Reyes
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a holiday reminder to people to protect their heart from diseases, particularly the so-called 鈥淗oliday Heart Syndrome (HHS).鈥�
On Monday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa ordered hospitals to be on high alert for diseases linked to HHS, such as strokes, on top of the ongoing monitoring and operations for road and firecracker-related injuries, which are commonly observed during Christmas and New Year.
According to the DOH, HHS is a condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption, stress, lack of rest, and eating salty or fatty foods, which can increase blood pressure.
In addition, studies show that HHS can also occur among individuals who rarely or never consume alcohol but engage in binge drinking on occasion.
An HHS may lead to arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms, a key cause of strokes, which can cause the death of patients if they are not treated immediately.
During the rounds made by the DOH in different hospitals, the government-run Philippine Heart Center (PHC) reported around 60 stroke cases from July to November this year.
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 20 alone, seven additional stroke cases were recorded.
鈥淭he number of cases may rise after Christmas and New Year due to excessive alcohol consumption and overeating during consecutive celebrations,鈥� the DOH said.
This was also the trend previously observed in 2023, where stroke cases at PHC rose from 38 in December to 42 in January 2024, marking the highest monthly tally for the year.
Similarly, acute coronary heart syndrome cases, including heart attack, increased from 110 in December 2023 to 115 in January 2024.
At East Avenue Medical Center, another government hospital in Quezon City, there has been a steady increase in stroke cases every December from 2020 to 2023.
Significant rise
In December 2020, there were 188 stroke patients. The figure increased to 226 in December 2021, hit 247 in December 2022, and reached 328 in December the following year.
For the first time, the DOH also included private hospitals in the Ligtas Christmas Hospital Preparedness and Response Rounds this year.
St. Luke鈥檚 Medical Center in Quezon City reported a significant rise in stroke cases, recording 415 in 2023 compared with 295 in 2022. As of November 2024, the hospital had already discharged 339 stroke patients.