Stroke or “brain attack” was the third leading cause of death in the country in 2025, accounting for roughly 10% of total deaths last year. A stroke is a critical medical condition that happens when the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, either by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or by bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). When blood flow to the brain is interrupted, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die, potentially causing severe and lasting complications.
These may include paralysis, cognitive impairment, speech difficulties, swallowing problems, incontinence, and depression, among others. Without immediate medical care, stroke can result in permanent disability or death, with hemorrhagic strokes generally carrying a particularly high risk of early mortality.
The third week of August is Brain Attack Awareness Week. The annual observance promotes awareness of stroke symptoms, emphasizes the importance of immediate medical attention to minimize permanent disability and prevent death, and educates the public on managing stroke risk factors through a healthy lifestyle.
To quickly recognize stroke symptoms and seek immediate medical attention, remember BE FAST: Balance loss, Eye blurring, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services.
Every minute counts after a stroke. The first hour after symptoms appear is often referred to as the “golden hour,” while certain clot-busting medicines for eligible patients with ischemic stroke may be administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Other specialized treatments may benefit selected patients beyond this window. The important message is simple: do not wait for symptoms to disappear or improve. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
Better still, many strokes can be prevented by addressing their major risk factors before a medical emergency occurs.
Hypertension is the number one modifiable risk factor for stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that people with hypertension have a substantially higher risk of stroke than those without. There is a reason hypertension is called the “silent killer.” It usually has no obvious symptoms while quietly damaging blood vessels and vital organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.
Some individuals with hypertension may experience nonspecific symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath, but these can easily be attributed to other causes. Without regular blood pressure checks, hypertension can therefore go unnoticed for years.
Hypertension remains underdiagnosed and inadequately controlled in the country. The latest Philippine Heart Association survey, PRESYON-4, found that nearly four in 10 Filipinos (37%) have hypertension, with only about half (52%) aware that they have the condition. Among those diagnosed, 22% were smokers, 37% were overweight, and 5% had diabetes. Of particular concern, six out of 10 hypertensive respondents who were already taking maintenance medications still had uncontrolled high blood pressure, leaving them at continued risk of stroke and heart attack.
These findings underscore an important lesson in stroke prevention. Knowing that one has hypertension is only the first step. Blood pressure must be regularly monitored, treatment must be sustained, and healthy lifestyle changes should accompany appropriate medication to achieve effective blood pressure control.
Medical consultation is crucial in monitoring blood pressure and diagnosing and managing hypertension. Blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg is generally considered optimal. Persistently elevated readings warrant medical assessment, while blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher measured in a healthcare setting is generally considered hypertension. Because a diagnosis should not normally be based on a single reading, regular blood pressure monitoring and consultation with a healthcare professional are important.
Individuals diagnosed with hypertension should take their prescribed antihypertensive medications as directed and never stop taking them without consulting their doctor, even when they feel well or their blood pressure readings improve.
Smoking is another major preventable risk factor for stroke. Tobacco smoke damages blood vessels, contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries, and makes the blood more likely to clot. Other important risk factors include high blood cholesterol, particularly LDL or “bad” cholesterol; diabetes mellitus; overweight and obesity; physical inactivity; unhealthy diets, particularly those high in sodium and low in fruits and vegetables; and harmful use of alcohol.
A healthy lifestyle, coupled with effective management of hypertension and other chronic conditions, can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
Individuals with chronic conditions that increase stroke risk, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation, should work closely with their doctors to effectively manage these conditions. Those who smoke or use other tobacco products should quit and seek professional smoking-cessation support if necessary. Alcohol consumption should likewise be limited.
Vaccination can also form part of a broader strategy for protecting cardiovascular health. Respiratory infections such as influenza can trigger systemic inflammation, increased blood clotting, and cardiovascular stress, temporarily increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly among people with existing cardiovascular disease. Studies have associated influenza vaccination with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke. Other recommended vaccines, including those against COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can also help protect eligible adults. People should consult their healthcare providers regarding vaccines appropriate for their age, health status, and individual risk factors.
Equally important is ensuring that essential and innovative medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health interventions are accessible to the Filipinos who need them. Preventing stroke requires not only personal responsibility but also a health system that enables people to know their risks, receive timely diagnosis, obtain appropriate treatment, and remain under continuous care.
Stroke prevention ultimately begins long before a person reaches the emergency room. It begins with knowing one’s blood pressure, eating healthier food, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, managing chronic conditions, and seeking regular medical care.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines, which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of developing, investing and delivering innovative medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for Filipinos to live healthier and more productive lives.
