Know the Signs of Stroke and Do Not Wait to Get to Hospital

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. The most effective treatments can only be given if the stroke is recognised and diagnosed quickly. That is why knowing the signs can decide how well someone recovers.

Signs that come on suddenly

According to the CDC, the signs of stroke usually appear suddenly:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or poor coordination.
• A severe headache with no known cause.

Check with BE FAST

The CDC uses BE FAST to check for a possible stroke:

• B, balance: ask if they feel off balance or dizzy.
• E, eyes: ask if they have trouble seeing.
• F, face: ask them to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• A, arms: ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
• S, speech: ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• T, time: if you see any of these signs, call emergency services straight away.

Why it must not wait

The CDC says the most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognised and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. People who arrive late may no longer be able to have those treatments.

Do not wait for the symptoms to go away on their own, and do not wait until the next day.

What to do

1. Call emergency services straight away. In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health's 119 medical emergency service can be reached like an ordinary phone call, or through the SATUSEHAT Mobile app by pressing and holding its icon and choosing Medical Emergency. The service gives first aid guidance and sends staff and an ambulance.
2. Note the time the symptoms first appeared. This helps doctors choose the right treatment.
3. The CDC advises that the person should not drive themselves to hospital. On the way, ambulance staff can already start treatment.

Save the number 119 in your phone and your family's phones, so you do not have to look for it in a panic. A Coapotek pharmacist is also happy to answer questions about the medicines you take after coming home from hospital.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke, 19 May 2026.
2. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Akses Darurat Medis 119 Kini Bisa Melalui SATUSEHAT Mobile (The 119 medical emergency service can now be reached through SATUSEHAT Mobile), 5 October 2024.