Neurologist Warns Stroke Cases Triple With Cold Season Onset
Neurologist Dr. Surat Tanprawate reports stroke cases have tripled at his hospital as Thailand enters the cool season, citing Thai research of over 560,000 patients showing higher winter admissions and deaths. He explains that cold weather constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, increasing stroke risk especially for those with uncontrolled hypertension, and urges the public to stay alert.
Neurologist Dr. Surat Tanprawate posted a warning on his Facebook page 'Brain Matters with Dr. Surat' about a sharp rise in stroke cases as the cool season begins. He reported that the stroke unit and on-call doctors at his hospital consulted with more than 10 cerebrovascular patients in a single day — triple the normal daily average. Dr. Surat highlighted research from a Thai database of 569,307 stroke patients between 2003 and 2012, which found increased hospital admissions and mortality during winter. The data indicates that even in a hot country like Thailand, seasons may influence cerebrovascular health. Cold exposure causes peripheral blood vessels to constrict to preserve heat, while the autonomic nervous system adjusts, potentially raising blood pressure. Cold and temperature fluctuations may also affect blood clotting and vessel wall function, increasing risk in people with existing risk factors, especially those with poorly controlled hypertension. However, Dr. Surat cautioned against interpreting this as a simple 'colder equals more stroke' rule everywhere, noting that a review of 20 studies found both extreme cold and extreme heat are associated with higher stroke risk, while data on temperature variability remains limited. Regardless of the exact cause for the current surge, he urged public vigilance.
