Taiwan health institute links temperature swings to stroke risk

台灣衛生研究院將氣溫波動與中風風險連結起來

Institute says stroke risk doubles with sudden temperature swings and extreme weather


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Health Research Institutes said Monday that extreme temperature fluctuations may increase the risk of stroke.

National Health Research Institutes Director Sytwu Huey-kang (司徒惠康) said that its research team analyzed data from more than 1.1 million first-time stroke patients over the past 20 years. The study focused on the relationship between stroke cases and rapid temperature changes, per CNA.

Wu Wei-de (吳威德), a researcher at National Health Research Institutes, said the team's analyzed data shows the risk of stroke doubles when temperatures rise by more than 6 C or drop by over 14 C within two days.

Temperatures above 35 C or below 10 C can also double the risk of stroke, Wu said. He called for enhanced health monitoring and preventive measures for the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions during seasonal transitions or extreme weather events.

Wu said that high temperatures can lead to dehydration and thicker blood, potentially resulting in cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, cold weather can raise blood pressure and increase the chance of a hemorrhagic stroke, a condition where a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds.

Global stroke cases have risen significantly since the 1990s, making a stroke the second leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, cerebrovascular disease claimed 12,000 lives in Taiwan in 2022, ranking as the fifth leading cause of death in the country.

As Taiwan enters a super-aged society this year, Wu urged the government to incorporate weather warning systems and health risk alerts into public health policy.

In November, Taoyuan General Hospital introduced a new stroke treatment protocol that begins with giving clot-busting medication within the critical 4.5-hour window following a stroke. During hospitalization, patients also receive repetitive magnetic brain stimulation to aid recovery.

Hsu Wei-ching (徐瑋璟), a rehabilitation physician at Asia University Hospital, said the magnetic pulses generated by the brain stimulation treatment can penetrate the skull to stimulate damaged brain cells, promoting neural remodeling.

Hsu added this treatment helps improve limb weakness and mitigate post-stroke complications such as speech disorders and difficulty swallowing.