JAKARTA - Based on the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), there are 8.3 stroke sufferers per 1,000 population, an increase from 7 per 1,000 population in 2013, and the number continues to grow every year.
Stroke is currently still the highest cause of death and disability in Indonesia, even the highest recorded in Southeast Asia. However, the risk of death and defects from stroke can be reduced if the symptoms are recognized quickly and patients receive medical treatment within 4.5 hours after the first symptoms appear, an important period known as Golden Period.
In commemoration of World Stroke Day 2025 which falls on October 29, the World Stroke Organization (WSO) again reminds several common signs of stroke that can be remembered through the abbreviation of FAST.
F (Face): The face looks down one side or it's hard to smile. A (Arm): One of the hands feels weak or difficult to lift. S (Speech): Talking stupid or hard to understand words. T (Time): Immediately seek medical help at health facilities such as a stroke alert hospital, who is ready to deal with stroke.
"Recognizing the symptoms of stroke is important, not only for high-risk patients, but also for all family members, because strokes can occur anytime and anywhere. This is also important to know for productive communities in their work environment," said dr. Richard Santoso, Head of Medical of PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari, a Zuellig Pharma Company, in his statement, Wednesday, October 29.
"After being able to recognize the symptoms of a stroke, it is very crucial so that stroke sufferers can immediately get help and be taken to the hospital for stroke in less than 4.5 hours, so that the chances of recovery are greater," he added.
This year, the World Stroke Day 2025 campaign carries the theme "Every Minute Counts" or can be interpreted every minute is very valuable.
Why is 4.5 hours so important? Based on the guidelines published by the European Stroke Organization in 2021, the risk of patient defects with the Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) can be minimized if therapy is immediately carried out in less than 4.5 hours from the appearance of symptoms. So it is very important for patients and their families to get to the hospital within that period of time.
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Mencapai rumah sakit dalam waktu kurang dari 4,5 jam sehingga tenaga medis bisa segera mengidentifikasi jenis stroke yang dialami oleh pasien. Namun pastikan rumah sakit yang dicapai merupakan rumah sakit yang memiliki tim stroke dan dapat mengaktivasi Code Stroke. Saat ini, sudah banyak rumah sakit di Indonesia yang memiliki layanan Siaga Stroke atau Stroke Ready Hospital. Apabila dibutuhkan, masyarakat dapat melihat secara lebih detail rumah sakit siaga stroke terdekat melalui laman Stroke Society di link: https://strokesociety.id/wso-angels-awards/.
Strokes can occur to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. By recognizing the initial symptoms, understanding the importance of gold periods of 4.5 hours, and knowing the location of health facilities with stroke alert services, everyone can play a role in saving lives.
Don't ignore the symptoms that arise, immediately run to the nearest hospital emergency unit alert for stroke. Every minute is very meaningful, and your quick decision can save someone's life.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
