DistantNews
Extreme Heat: What People Need to Do to Prevent Strokes
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Health & Science

Extreme Heat: What People Need to Do to Prevent Strokes

From Tuổi Trẻ · (10m ago) Vietnamese Critical tone

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Extreme heatwaves are affecting many parts of Vietnam, with temperatures reaching 37°C and expected to persist.
  • Health experts warn that the intense heat significantly increases the risk of heatstroke and stroke, particularly for vulnerable groups.
  • Recommendations include limiting outdoor activities during peak heat, staying hydrated with electrolytes, and seeking regular health check-ups to manage underlying conditions.

As Vietnam grapples with an intense and prolonged heatwave, the nation's health sector is issuing urgent warnings about the escalating risk of heatstroke and stroke. Temperatures soaring to 37°C across numerous provinces, including Khánh Hòa, are placing an unprecedented strain on public health, particularly affecting the elderly, individuals with pre-existing conditions, children, and outdoor workers.

Stroke often occurs in groups with high cardiovascular risk such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, overweight-obesity, smoking...

— BSCKII Ngô Khắc KiênHead of the examination department at Bệnh viện 22-12, explaining the risk factors for stroke.

Dr. Ngô Khắc Kiên of Bệnh viện 22-12 highlights a concerning trend of younger individuals experiencing strokes, attributing it to sedentary lifestyles, excessive alcohol and tobacco use, and chronic stress. The doctor emphasizes that complacency among the youth, who often dismiss the possibility of serious illness, contributes to this alarming rise. Regular health screenings and diligent management of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and diabetes are crucial, especially during these extreme weather conditions.

In recent years, stroke has tended to be younger. The reason is a sedentary lifestyle, abuse of alcohol, beer, tobacco, or excessive stress...

— BSCKII Ngô Khắc KiênExplaining the trend of younger stroke victims.

The advice from medical professionals is clear: minimize exposure during peak heat hours, maintain adequate hydration with electrolyte-rich fluids, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. For outdoor laborers, protective clothing and timely rest are essential. The message from Vietnam's health authorities is one of proactive prevention, stressing that heat-related strokes are largely preventable with proper precautions and early intervention. This local focus on immediate, actionable advice reflects a public health system prioritizing the well-being of its citizens amidst a challenging climate.

The best advice is to get screened and treated. If cardiovascular risk factors accumulate gradually, it will be very dangerous.

— BSCKII Ngô Khắc KiênRecommending regular health check-ups and treatment for cardiovascular risks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog