At Huu Nghi Hospital in Hanoi, doctors said the number of patients admitted with acute stroke during recent periods of abnormal weather has increased by 50% to 100% compared with other times of the year.

According to To Hoang Duong, deputy head of the hospital’s Intensive Care and Poison Control Department, many severe cases have been successfully treated thanks to rapid, multidisciplinary emergency response procedures. He stressed that for stroke patients, “time is brain,” noting that early restoration of blood flow is critical to reducing neurological damage and long-term disability.

Similar trends have been recorded at Hospital E, where stroke admissions typically rise by around 15% during the cold season, particularly among patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease. Doctors said the risk of stroke can increase by as much as 80% when temperatures fall below 15 degrees Celsius or fluctuate sharply.

At the Stroke Centre of Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, doctors have also treated a growing number of stroke patients under the age of 45. Many of these cases share common risk factors, including poorly controlled high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, raises blood pressure and increases blood viscosity, making clot formation more likely.

Meanwhile, the National Geriatric Hospital has reported an influx of elderly patients with respiratory illnesses linked to weakened immunity during cold weather, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications and stroke.

Nguyen Tien Dung, a senior stroke specialist at Bach Mai Hospital, explained that when temperatures drop sharply, the body reacts by constricting blood vessels to retain heat. While this is a natural defence mechanism, it can significantly increase health risks.

Vasoconstriction narrows blood vessels, forcing blood to circulate under higher pressure and potentially triggering cerebral hemorrhage or dislodging atherosclerotic plaques that block blood flow to the brain. Cold weather also thickens the blood, slowing circulation and increasing the likelihood of clot formation, which can lead to ischemic stroke.

Doctors also warned that unhealthy winter habits may further elevate risks. Alcohol consumption, often believed to warm the body, actually causes temporary vasodilation followed by rapid heat loss and blood pressure fluctuations, posing particular danger to people with underlying conditions. Reduced physical activity and high-fat diets during winter months can compound these risks.

Health experts advise the public to keep warm, especially the head, neck and chest, and to limit outdoor activity during early mornings when temperatures are lowest. Elderly people and those with chronic conditions should strictly adhere to prescribed treatments and avoid alcohol, tobacco and other risk factors.

Common warning signs of acute stroke include facial drooping, slurred speech and weakness or numbness in the limbs. In such cases, emergency services should be contacted immediately to ensure patients receive treatment within the critical “golden window.”

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