Sharp Drop in Temperature Leads to Surge in Emergency Patients in Taiwan
As temperatures in central Taiwan dropped sharply, there has been a series of patients being transported to hospitals due to acute myocardial infarction and other acute illnesses.
As temperatures dropped sharply, citizens passing through Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul hurried their steps amid severe cold below freezing on the 26th. 2025.12.26 Photo by Yoon Dongju
On the 26th (local time), Taiwanese media such as the Liberty Times reported, "In Changhua County, central Taiwan, where temperatures have plummeted, 45 people were transported to emergency rooms over a 32-hour period due to acute myocardial infarction or other acute conditions, and among them, three were in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) before arriving at the hospital."
The oldest among the cardiac arrest patients was identified as an 88-year-old woman residing in Yuanlin City, Changhua County.
According to the Central Weather Administration of Taiwan, due to the influx of cold air from China the previous day, the temperature in Changhua County on December 25-26 ranged from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius, with the perceived temperature between 10 and 18 degrees. Strong northeasterly winds caused gusts throughout the country, and the combination of cold air, high humidity, and strong winds resulted in a powerful cold wave.
The Changhua County Fire Department stated that, based on statistical analysis, all cardiac arrest cases occurred late at night or in the early morning hours. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the onset of illness in all 45 transported patients was directly related to the cold wave.
Taichung City, where temperatures also dropped abruptly, has also seen a surge in patients. According to statistics from the Taichung City Fire Department, between 8 a.m. on the 25th and 8 a.m. on the 26th, a total of 17 patients were rescued and transported due to acute illnesses over a 24-hour period. Among them, eight were classified as having acute myocardial infarction or severe physical abnormalities, and were in cardiac arrest before arriving at the hospital, not due to trauma. The ages of the patients ranged from 51 to 87 years old.
As most of the hospital transports occurred during the coldest hours between midnight and dawn, the fire authorities emphasized the need for special attention to staying warm. Zhou Yonghua, head of emergency medical services at the Changhua County Fire Department, said, "With recent large temperature fluctuations, the fire department is urging citizens to pay extra attention to keeping warm," and added, "If you experience chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath, or cold sweats, you should immediately call 119 and request assistance."
The authorities also advised people to prepare for cold weather by keeping a coat next to their bed and drinking warm water immediately after waking up to maintain body temperature. When going out, it is recommended to wear a hat, scarf, and mask, and to be fully equipped with cold weather gear when riding a motorcycle. Before exercising or swimming early in the morning, sufficient stretching is necessary to prevent muscle stiffness or sudden physical abnormalities.
Meanwhile, while South Korea experiences sub-zero temperatures on a daily basis during winter, Taiwan, with its subtropical climate, rarely sees temperatures drop below zero even in winter. As a result, when winter temperatures in Taiwan fall below 10 degrees Celsius, there is a tendency for a sharp increase in patients collapsing due to hypothermia or cardiovascular diseases.
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