DOH records 18 stroke, heart attack, and asthma cases from Dec 21-24, 2025

The Department of Health has reported lower cases of non-communicable diseases for the 2025 holidays, bringing the current total to 75 cases.

According to data from DOH, there were 18 new cases of stroke, heart attacks, and asthma recorded between December 21, Sunday, to 4:59 a.m. of December 24, Wednesday.

DOH shared that patients 60 to 69 years old made up 14 out of 25 existing cases of acute coronary syndrome, and 15 out of 45 cases of acute stroke.

Meanwhile, children 0 to 9 years old made up four out of nine existing cases of bronchial asthma.

The agency noted that the current cases were 38% lower than the cases recorded on December 24, 2024.

Despite this, two deaths have already been recorded due to stroke and acute coronary syndrome.

Data released by the agency was gathered from 10 different DOH pilot sites being monitored for acute complication of non-communicable diseases.

DOH reminded the public of the following tips to avoid contracting non-communicable diseases:

• Avoid excessive eating, smoking, drinking, and stress
• Seek immediate help in case of loss of breath or chest pains
• Maintain regular blood pressure and physical activity
• Seek immediate help in case of numbness or weakness in any part of the body
• Avoid asthma triggers such as dust or smoke
• Ensure the environment remains clean and tidy
• Always keep inhalers and medicine prepared in case of emergencies

DOH is set to observe the number of firecracker-related incidents until January 5, 2026 as part of its holiday monitoring efforts.

Avoiding use of firecrackers is among the “bad habits” that the agency warned against in its campaign for a safer holiday season. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News