Mr. Ly, 55, experienced sudden weakness on his right side, and doctors found his left internal carotid artery was about 90% narrowed due to atherosclerosis, causing a transient ischemic attack.

Mr. Tanh, 49, suddenly experienced dizziness, fell and hit his head, lost consciousness, and had seizures; doctors found signs of cerebral ischemia and narrowed cerebral arteries.

Excessive alcohol consumption, late nights, and forgetting to take medication for underlying conditions during holidays can cause blood pressure fluctuations and heart rhythm disturbances, potentially increasing stroke risk.