You may be familiar with Indonesia’s delicious food, beautiful tourist attractions, comprehensive shopping centres, and transport options that support your mobility.
But do you know where to go and how to handle emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke that could affect you, your partner, or a colleague?
Time Is Crucial: The Golden Period Is Your Window
Emergencies like heart attacks and strokes can happen at any time. When they occur, it is vital to understand the golden period for treatment. In the case of a heart attack, the golden period refers to the critical first 90 minutes following the attack. Treatment within this timeframe can significantly reduce the risk of heart muscle cell death and help restore heart function.
Dr. Ika K. Dhanudibroto, Sp.JP (K), FIHA, an Interventional Cardiologist practising at Mayapada Hospital South Jakarta and Kuningan, explained, “In treating heart attack cases, the golden period is indeed a crucial factor, as heart muscle cells begin to die within 80–90 minutes after blood supply stops due to a total blockage in the blood vessels (coronary arteries). When this condition occurs, Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Primary PCI) procedure must be conducted immediately to clear the blockage that caused the heart attack.”
Dr. Ika has treated numerous heart attack patients with PCI, following the international guideline Door to Balloon within 90 minutes. PCI is a medical procedure involving the insertion of balloons and stents to open blocked coronary arteries, restoring blood flow to the heart. Dr. Ika added, “PCI can still save heart attack patients even if they arrive 12–48 hours late after the attack. However, the sooner a heart attack is treated, the better the survival rate.”
Stroke is another emergency where brain cell death can occur in just minutes or even seconds. Stroke treatment within the golden period can minimise brain damage, helping to prevent disability and even death. The golden period for stroke is the first 4.5 hours after symptoms appear. It is also important to know that Door to Needle for stroke treatment is carried out within 60 minutes, which is the international guideline for treating ischaemic strokes. Mayapada Hospital, a leading hospital in Indonesia, has implemented this international guideline.
Dr. Vania Listiani Hidajat, Sp.N, a Neurologist from Mayapada Hospital South Jakarta and Kuningan, explained, “During the golden period, 60-minute Door to Needle is carried out for ischemic stroke through thrombolytic therapy, by injecting drugs to dissolve blood clots that block blood vessels in the brain.”
Dr. Ingrid Ayke Widjaja, Sp.BS, a Neurosurgeon who also practises at Mayapada Hospital, South Jakarta and Kuningan, added, “If it has passed the golden period, or the thrombolytic injection is considered ineffective, or the patient does not meet the criteria for thrombolytic therapy, ischemic stroke treatment can be carried out with thrombectomy, which is a neuro intervention procedure to open blocked blood flow. Meanwhile, in cases of hemorrhagic stroke, neurosurgery can be performed to evacuate bleeding and reduce pressure in the brain.”
Finding Fast Response Emergency Services with a Comprehensive Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab)
In the event of an emergency, Mayapada Hospital, where the esteemed doctors mentioned above practice, can be your top choice. The hospital offers internationally standardised Cardiac and Stroke Emergency services, available 24 hours a day, simply by calling the emergency number 150990.
The Cardiac Emergency is part of the Cardiovascular Center at Mayapada Hospital, a leading service that provides comprehensive heart disease treatment, from early detection and diagnosis to cardiac intervention, surgery, and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the Stroke Emergency is part of the Tahir Neuroscience Center, offering comprehensive treatment for neurological disorders. This service is supported by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, a state-of-the-art cath lab, and other essential facilities.
In recent news, one of Mayapada Hospital’s units located in Jakarta’s Golden Triangle, Mayapada Hospital Kuningan, now offers an increasingly sophisticated and integrated cath lab service. This facility facilitates diagnostic, cardiac intervention procedures, strokes, and other complex heart cases. The medical team and staff are also fluent in English, making it easier for expatriate patients to communicate during treatment. Located on HR Rasuna Said street, Mayapada Hospital Kuningan serves numerous companies and office workers who prioritize occupational health and safety.
Dr. Andreas Kresna, Sp.Ok, an Occupational Medicine Specialist at Mayapada Hospital Kuningan, stated, “A comprehensive and periodic medical check-up for office workers is highly recommended, including heart and blood vessel screening to prevent heart attacks. This is a long-term investment, both for workers and companies, as regular health monitoring helps maintain worker productivity, prevent emergencies, and avoid workplace accidents.”
Many expatriates choose Mayapada Hospital due to its team of expert doctors, international standards, English-speaking services, and strategic locations in Jakarta (Lebak Bulus and Kuningan), Tangerang, Bogor, Surabaya, as well as Bandung.
Story from an Expatriate Patient
Michael Mueller, a German expatriate, has been living in Indonesia since 1987.
He received cardiac care and PCI treatment at Mayapada Hospital Kuningan.
“I had a heart problem. I came to Mayapada Hospital and was treated exceptionally well. I could see how much the staff cared about me. I have to say, the experience was very, very good when it was discovered that I had two or three blockages in my heart.
I was very happy with what they did, their friendliness, and how they took care of me. The cardiologist explained to me about stents and how they would be placed in my heart. She showed me some video images demonstrating how the procedure works, inserting something into the blood vessels. I was fortunate that they could perform the procedure through my arm, reaching the heart, then inflating a balloon and placing the stent according to the blockage. She explained everything very professionally and handled it with great care.
To access Mayapada Hospital Kuningan is very easy. I think for expatriates here in Jakarta, it’s actually perfect because it’s on the main road. People can even access it now with public transport, as there’s an LRT station very close by. The staff speak English here, and I have to say, all the facilities are perfect.”