The recent hot weather has increased the risk of stroke, especiallyamong older people, as many hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City have seen morepatients admitted for heart problems.

Nguoi LaoDong (The Labourer) Newspaper reported that the city's People HospitalNo 115 admitted nearly 170 patients who had suffered a stroke in thebeginning of this week. The hospital has only 130 beds.

In April, 775 patients were hospitalised due to stroke.

Dr Nguyen Huy Thang, the head of the People's Hospital No. 115's wardfor cerebral-vascular diseases, told the newspaper that the number ofyoung patients with stroke accounted for 10 -15 percent of the total.Many of them smoke and drink beer.

At the Nursing,Rehabilitation and Occupational Diseases Treatment Hospital in District8, 32 patients who had a stroke have been admitted since April.

According to health experts, hot weather leads to water loss anddecrease in the volume of blood so there is less blood supply for thebrain. At that time, people are more susceptible to a stroke.

Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and lipid disorders should be even more careful as they are at high risk.

Signs of a stroke are headaches, dizziness or paralysis of one side of the body.

Thang said that when having these symptoms, patients should be brought to the nearest hospital.

They should be given emergency aid within 10 or 15 minutes, after theynotice these symptoms. The time is considered as a "golden one" forsaving someone's life.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death, following cardiac disease and cancer.-VNA