A man in Ratchaburi went to San Camillo Hospital with chest pain that felt, in his own words, nothing like the tendon pain his medical file said he'd had before. The doctor on duty diagnosed anxiety and sent him home a few hours later.

That afternoon, Panupong Meesuk collapsed and died at home, and an autopsy found two blocked coronary arteries. His wife shared the story online, and it moved from a local case to national news within days, with millions of views and follow-up coverage from Thai outlets on hospital care quality.

The Social Security Office later pieced together what had happened during the visit: Panupong was referred to an orthopaedic specialist because his file showed a history of tendinitis, then shuffled between departments while his family tried to explain that this felt different, that it reached into his chest and wouldn't ease. The hospital suspended the doctor involved.

So, would you trust a Thai hospital with a serious diagnosis? Probably the wrong question. What actually matters is whether you'd know which kind of hospital, and which kind of doctor, you were standing in front of on the day it counted.

The case for public hospitals

Public hospitals in Thailand are cheap or free if you're on the Social Security Scheme, and some of the largest ones have genuinely strong reputations for serious illness. Chulalongkorn, Rajavithi, and Police Hospital are the names Thai doctors themselves point to for severe cases, not the smaller district hospitals further down the referral chain.

Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital is Thailand's first JCI-accredited public hospital. It's proof, on its own, that "public can't meet international standards" isn't a safe assumption everywhere. The trade-off is volume: some of these hospitals see patients queuing from four in the morning for a same-day slot, and a routine consultation can eat an entire day before anyone's looked at a scan.

Where trust breaks down for a serious diagnosis

In a separate case in Nakhon Ratchasima, the family of a four-year-old girl asked the Ministry of Public Health to investigate whether a misdiagnosis at Phra Thongkham Hospital contributed to her death, after she was first sent home with what doctors described as a seasonal flu. 

A foundation supporting the family said it had received information on roughly ten suspected cases of diagnostic or treatment error at the same hospital, and the ministry agreed to set up a committee to investigate.

What connects these two cases is narrower than "misdiagnosis happens." Both started with an early, low-stakes read - tendinitis in one, flu in the other - and that read got carried forward through every handoff instead of getting re-checked. 

A serious diagnosis is rarely one decision made by one doctor. It's a first read, a referral, maybe a second opinion, a department that inherits someone else's notes instead of your actual symptoms.

If a doctor told you your chest pain was anxiety, would you know enough to push for an ECG anyway? It's a harder question than it sounds when the person telling you otherwise is the specialist in the room.

Social Security adds its own version of the same problem, and this applies to foreign employees on a work permit just as much as Thai nationals; the law treats the two identically. A smaller hospital has to refer a complicated case up the chain before treatment can properly start, and that takes time you may not have if the problem is getting worse. 

You choose your designated hospital when you register, but you can only switch it once a year, in a window between mid-December and the end of March. Outside that window, you're stuck with whatever you picked, and a crisis doesn't wait for open enrolment. Where English isn't spoken fluently on the ward, a symptom described imprecisely tends to get triaged imprecisely too.

It's fair to point the same scrutiny the other way. Private hospitals aren't a guaranteed safer bet either. It isn't unusual for a private facility to refer a patient to a major government hospital when a case needs equipment or expertise the private side doesn't keep on-site.

Also: Are you actually covered at private hospitals in Thailand, or just insured?

The private alternative, and its price tag

Thailand has more JCI-accredited hospitals than any other country in Southeast Asia; Bumrungrad International, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Sukhumvit, BNH, and MedPark all carry it, alongside in-house specialists and diagnostic equipment most public hospitals can't match.

The honest downside is cost. A full diagnostic workup for something serious - imaging, specialist consultations, a biopsy - can run into hundreds of thousands of baht before a treatment plan even exists. Without insurance, that's the number that sends people straight back to the hospital they were trying to avoid in the first place.

Where Cigna fits in this decision

Cigna Global's coverage does something more specific than pay the bill here. Its Medical Second Opinion Service gets you specialists outside the hospital that gave you the original diagnosis, so you're not stuck relying on hope that the first read was right. 

Getting a second opinion shouldn't depend on whether you can afford to ask for one.

Cigna's core plans scale with how much of this you want covered:

• Close Care℠ covers up to US$500,000 a year (roughly 17 million baht), across Thailand and your home country, and is the more budget-conscious option for expats who mostly stay local. 

• Silver goes up to US$1 million with fuller diagnostics and hospitalisation. 

• Gold reaches US$2 million and adds routine maternity and specialist treatment. 

• Platinum removes the ceiling almost entirely, for those who want access to premium providers like Bumrungrad or Bangkok Hospital without a second thought about cost.

If the diagnosis turns out to be right and serious, Cigna's Complex Case Management assigns a dedicated nurse to manage the condition for as long as the policy runs, instead of leaving you to coordinate specialists and follow-ups alone. 

And for the moment right after a diagnosis lands, when getting a second opinion is exactly the thing people skip because it means paying twice, Cigna's direct billing network means seeing another specialist doesn't require settling a bill upfront and hoping for reimbursement later. You go, Cigna settles it with the hospital.

Get a free quote from Cigna Global today.

None of this replaces good judgment about where you seek care first. It just changes what happens once you're sitting in a consultation room and the diagnosis on the table doesn't sit right with you.

Have you had a diagnosis in Thailand that turned out to be wrong, or had to rely on a second opinion for your diagnosis? Tell us in the comments.

*Hospital and case details reflect reporting as of August 2026 and are subject to change as investigations conclude.

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I would never let this happen and why others do is beyond me. Take control of your own health and know your risks. I know my arteries aren't blocked because I have heart scans and other lab work. You don't just wake up one day with the types issues described in this article or other killers like diabetes. It happens over decades and is usually easy to fix if you catch it in the beginning regardless of genetics.

Most abuse their bodies and know nothing of what damage it is causing if any. Easy to find out in most cases and extremely cheap here in Thailand.

I would never trust any doc or hospital, here, TH, or USA, and haven't, always getting a 2nd opinion, and or, done my own research. Research all meds before taking, if you need, or if having contradiction the doc doesn't know about. I've found more than a few over the years.

At a certain age, it's common sense to know and understand the human body, especially your own.

I woke up 3.7 yrs ago with classic blood vessel blockage symptoms. As they started checking off all the boxes, I was showered and off to the ER, with a stop for some aspirin.

Self diagnosed and averted any real damage perfectly. To the point, no longer an emergency, and transported 100km & 1.5 hrs away for stent placement, at the speed limit, even with a stop ... WTF

Anyone 60+ yrs old that doesn't know these symptoms ... oh well

... slight or intense heartburn (didn't have)

... chest pain of discomfort (didn't have)

... discomfort / numbness in right and or left arm ... had 1st

... shortness of breath ... had 2nd

... profused sweating, even in cold shower ... had 3rd and away

... do stop and pick up 325mg of aspirin, or better, have on hand, dosage dependent on severity of symptoms. If a blockage, it thins the blood for easier passage.

HINDSIGHT: everyone should have a finger Oxy meter, and never hurts to start checking your BP at home when doc tells you it's high all the time. Yea, time for a diet and some exercise. Time to pay attention to all your numbers, and adjust where necessary.

While at it, do know how to spot a stroke, even a small one ...

... if you stumble and fall, and don't remember actually tripping over something

... if you drop something out of your hand and didn't realize it till it hit the floor

... check your facial muscles, bite your lip/cheek, left & right

... blink, left and right

... head to a mirror, check again

... any suspiscion, head to hospital ASAP, first hour is most important to avoid major damage.

2 of the easiest to self diagnose, and avert serious damage if given some meds ASAP: blood thinning, vessel relaxing, along with clot busting meds.

Edited August 18Aug 18 by KhunLA

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

A man in Ratchaburi went to San Camillo Hospital with chest pain that felt, in his own words, nothing like the tendon pain his medical file said he'd had before. The doctor on duty diagnosed anxiety and sent him home a few hours later.

That's a terrible doctor. He should at least have done an EKG.

I went to Bangkok Christian Hospital on the right day and saw the right doctor. All a coincidence. He knew exactly what the rare condition was and I was treated accordingly. The previous hospital on Sukhumvit a few days prior had given me some pills and sent me home. Just luck of the draw.

Different day and a different doctor?

Edited August 18Aug 18 by VocalNeal

The only doctors that I have found to be correct are 'Dr Google' and my NHS prostate doctor in the UK. Every Thai doctor that I've consulted has been wrong....

From my own personal experience - I've been seriously misdiagnosed about a prostate medical procedure as well as cataract surgery.

I believe the prostate issue was purely profit driven and I KNOW the cataract surgery WAS profit driven.

Only if Dr. ChatGPT confirms it. 🧑‍⚕️

In 1999, i had a difficult and complex back surgery at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok.

In 2012, i was diagnosed with a very rare disease called Adhesive Arachnoiditis. These findings were made at Prasat Neurological Institute in Bangkok.

Both are govermental Hospitals and I would go back there at anytime.

A private Hospital is not always a better choice. Because at the end of the Day, most doctors working at govermental Hospitals also do work at private Hospitals.

Edited August 18Aug 18 by Beat666

It is very difficult to find a good doctor in Thailand, surely is you have Social Security. In Government hospitals the queues are too long and the doctors don't have time. Besides as everywhere around the world Social Security is not the best option, but your own helath insurance is a problem too. Existing sicknesses are most of the time not covered. My doctor for my prostate has 3 minutes every time when I visit him. Just new doxazosin and a bloodcheck and that is it. He only wants to do a surgery to remove it, but I am not in for that. I found out that there now medication that will really let the prostate shrink and will improve my flow. I buy the medication myself without asking the doctor and it works well.. The medication is expensive I am aware but he could have suggested it to try and let me pay for it.

On another time I had chest pain too. I went to the hospital to emergency room and because it was busy I waited almost 2 hours before a doctor could come to check. But the pain faded and I left without seeing any doctor. So I am not surprised for this case in Ratchaburi, but more worried that when serious things happens there is no competent health care.

The problem with insurers is they don't do extensive checks to ensure the potential customer is covered 100%, they prefer it vague so they can deny the claim later on.

As for any hospital, get a second opinion, maybe a third, a good chance they are all different

8 hours ago, simon43 said:

The only doctors that I have found to be correct are 'Dr Google' and my NHS prostate doctor in the UK. Every Thai doctor that I've consulted has been wrong....

Yep, I've encountered three wrong diagnosis in the past ten years.

1. Gall bladder needs removing or death ...... It got better with exercise and antibiotics.

2. My 5yo told he needed his appendix removed .... Next hospital said constipation and fixed it.

3. BPH need turp ....... Fixed with antibiotics.

I would always get a second opinion with anything medical related in Thailand. If it was anything serious, I'd be on a plane back to my home country for further medical treatment.

YES, there are the equal amount of stupid doctors here than in Western Countries.

Or in other words: if you learned your job properly continuously in different locations then you are on the same level as any highly educated specialist everywhere.

I trust them.

For what it's worth, Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok always seems to have package "specials." during which you can get a full medical workup for what seems to be a good price. Here's one example for a comprehensive battery of tests for males:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/packages/comprehensive-male

The regular price is 34,900 baht, and I sometimes see specials, I think. Anyway, something like that would be a good place to start. Keep on top of your health before you have an emergency. If they see anything unusual, you can go from there.

26 minutes ago, jas007 said:

For what it's worth, Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok always seems to have package "specials." during which you can get a full medical workup for what seems to be a good price. Here's one example for a comprehensive battery of tests for males:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/packages/comprehensive-male

The regular price is 34,900 baht, and I sometimes see specials, I think. Anyway, something like that would be a good place to start. Keep on top of your health before you have an emergency. If they see anything unusual, you can go from there.

Wasted money, plus causes problems if you like insurance IMHO.

My theory, don't test and most problems go away on their own.

10 years ago, I awoke at 6:30AM with a BP of 225/125 and heartrate of 150. I drove myself and my wife to the nearest government hospital ER and was kept waiting in a queue for 30 minutes after frantically explaining to the receiving ER nurse all of my symptoms. His attitude was anything but concerned as he pointed me to a chair to have a seat. Finally, the nurse performed an ECG and passed the results to the doctor who approached me to ask if I could wait for 1.5 hours while they took blood and checked my cholesterol. WTF!!!!! I was totally dumbfounded by his request, jumped off the gurney, paid my bill and rushed myself to the nearest private hospital ER where I was attended to immediately and confined to the cardiac care unit overnight. After a series of expensive tests, I was diagnosed with having an episode of atrial flutter and released the following morning with no clear understanding of what had caused this event, if it would ever happen again or what I could do to ensure that it wouldn't happen again. I still have my doubts about the diagnosis and more recently brought the matter up with a different doctor who said that without seeing the ECG that was done, he could not tell me for certain if it actually was an atrial flutter episode or just an A-Fib event. Strangely enough, when I went back to look over all my tests and receipts from that day 10 years ago, the ECG results were missing from my packet. I believe that it was purposedly left out so that no one could later question the doctor's diagnosis, and he would be justified in ordering all the other tests and diagnostics in order to extract as much money as possible from me in the shortest period of time. With the private hospitals, it's all about the money, and with the government hospitals, it's all about getting the patients in and out as quickly as possible so they can get on with the next patient in the queue. From my 16 years of dealing with Thai doctors and hospitals, I am convinced that the Thai health care system is highly overrated and tragically sub-standard.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Wasted money, plus causes problems if you like insurance IMHO.

My theory, don't test and most problems go away on their own.

Suit yourself, but if you ask me it's not a waste at all. I'd rather spend a little money once every few years to see if anything serious is developing, than to wake one fine morning only to find out I have some incurable disease that might have been detected earlier. At that point, the hospital bill won't be 34,00 baht. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of baht, if not more, and they're going to want a guarantee of payment. Remember, many conditions can develop slowly, over a number of years, whether through poor lifestyle choices or the luck of the draw. Why not find out sooner, rather than later, at a point where you might have a chance of a successful outcome?

Edited August 19Aug 19 by jas007

If you wear an Apple Watch Ultra, it can measure your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even perform an ECG, all within a couple of minutes.

You can also buy a decent blood pressure monitor online in Thailand for less than 500 baht, as well as a digital thermometer for just a few hundred baht.

Basically, if you suddenly think you might be experiencing a serious medical issue, you can check your main vital signs at home within a few minutes rather than immediately panicking and rushing to the hospital.

That said, if you're experiencing severe chest pain and you're reasonably sure it's not related to gas or a muscle problem, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Yep, I've encountered three wrong diagnosis in the past ten years.

1. Gall bladder needs removing or death ...... It got better with exercise and antibiotics.

2. My 5yo told he needed his appendix removed .... Next hospital said constipation and fixed it.

3. BPH need turp ....... Fixed with antibiotics.

I don't know about England but this happens in America also. It isn't a Thai thing but a doctor thing. Doctors are great in an emergency when usually the issue is much more apparent but I've found then to be almost useless for non-emergencies. So nice to have when you really need them! The crud that comes out of their mouths during routine examinations is laughable at times. Just smile and get out of their office ASAP.

It is the doctor that matters in Thailand never the hospital, do your own research on the doctor, get a second opinion, and never tell the second doctor what the frst said, it is very easy here to be sent for test after test and tablets by the handfull, put your test results into AI see what comes up, and read up on your condtion, the most important thing is to stay fit, eat well, say goodbye to burgers pizza and the like rest well , stop drinking alcohol if you are over 50, you can get regular blood tests etc cheaply

8 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Suit yourself, but if you ask me it's not a waste at all. I'd rather spend a little money once every few years to see if anything serious is developing, than to wake one fine morning only to find out I have some incurable disease that might have been detected earlier. At that point, the hospital bill won't be 34,00 baht. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of baht, if not more, and they're going to want a guarantee of payment. Remember, many conditions can develop slowly, over a number of years, whether through poor lifestyle choices or the luck of the draw. Why not find out sooner, rather than later, at a point where you might have a chance of a successful outcome?

I'm 70, no need to live any longer, no need to waste money on trying to live longer.

I'd prefer a quick way out option, than a 10 extra years of slow death option.

Death is coming ..... and you can't buy your way out of it!

5 minutes ago, MoneyPenny said:

If you wear an Apple Watch Ultra, it can measure your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even perform an ECG, all within a couple of minutes.

You can also buy a decent blood pressure monitor online in Thailand for less than 500 baht, as well as a digital thermometer for just a few hundred baht.

Basically, if you suddenly think you might be experiencing a serious medical issue, you can check your main vital signs at home within a few minutes rather than immediately panicking and rushing to the hospital.

That said, if you're experiencing severe chest pain and you're reasonably sure it's not related to gas or a muscle problem, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.

Been telling people forever to get a blood pressure monitor and also a glucose monitor. In the vast majority of people these numbers will be off if something is wrong and if you track for a few months and have baseline data, they become incredibly useful at predicting future health. Even cancers impact you blood pressure in most cases.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

My theory, don't test and most problems go away on their own.

Bladder cancer does not go away. CLL and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma does not go away. Squamous cell carcinomas do not go away.

4 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Suit yourself, but if you ask me it's not a waste at all. I'd rather spend a little money once every few years to see if anything serious is developing, than to wake one fine morning only to find out I have some incurable disease that might have been detected earlier. At that point, the hospital bill won't be 34,00 baht. The bill could run into the hundreds of thousands of baht, if not more, and they're going to want a guarantee of payment. Remember, many conditions can develop slowly, over a number of years, whether through poor lifestyle choices or the luck of the draw. Why not find out sooner, rather than later, at a point where you might have a chance of a successful outcome?

Agreed. And you don't even need an expensive hospital. You can just go to a diagnostic lab once a year in Thailand and, for a couple of thousand baht, get comprehensive blood work and a urinalysis to check red and white blood cells, liver function, kidney function, lipid levels, triglycerides, blood sugar, HbA1c, and a number of other basic markers. It is also worth checking blood pressure regularly, as hypertension can remain completely symptom-free for years while increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio can also help detect early kidney damage that may not show up on a routine urinalysis.

These labs often offer chest X-rays as well, although a routine chest X-ray isn't considered an effective general screening test for lung cancer, but it will show signs of any growths on the lungs and signs of tuberculosis. It is also worth considering PSA testing for prostate cancer based on your age and individual risk factors.

There are also some important infections that can remain silent for years, particularly hepatitis B and C, which can eventually cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. Getting screened at least once, and periodically if you have risk factors, is worth considering.

I get all of this done once a year, and it costs me under 5,000 baht in total.

Men over 40 should consider having blood work, blood pressure checks, and a urinalysis once a year, along with regular diabetes screening and an annual eye exam to check for glaucoma and other age-related eye problems. Colorectal cancer screening should also begin around age 45 for average-risk adults, with the frequency depending on whether you choose a colonoscopy, stool testing, or another screening method. If you have a family history or other risk factors, screening may need to start earlier or be done more frequently.

There are a number of diseases that don't show symptoms until they are advanced, but if detected early can often be treated or managed before they become serious. Some of the important "silent travelers" that these screening can help detect early include high blood pressure, diabetes and pre-diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis B and C, and, in higher-risk individuals, lung cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The basic idea is simple: don't wait until you feel sick. A relatively inexpensive annual checkup can identify a surprising number of problems while they are still manageable.

Thai surgeons, and post-operative carers, are generally skilled an competent, diagnosticians less so.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Wasted money, plus causes problems if you like insurance IMHO.

My theory, don't test and most problems go away on their own.

You're healthy and exercise so you can get away with things that the general unhealthy population can't. How many times have you heard that I was healthy and then one day the doctor told me I had diabetes? I've read post on this forum stating this. If they would have checked their blood sugar a couple times a month the previous decade, they would have seen what was coming. Sure, most would do little about it but it wouldn't be a surprise!

3 minutes ago, MoneyPenny said:

Agreed. And you don't even need an expensive hospital. You can just go to a diagnostic lab once a year in Thailand and, for a couple of thousand baht, get comprehensive blood work and a urinalysis to check red and white blood cells, liver function, kidney function, lipid levels, triglycerides, blood sugar, HbA1c, and a number of other basic markers. It is also worth checking blood pressure regularly, as hypertension can remain completely symptom-free for years while increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio can also help detect early kidney damage that may not show up on a routine urinalysis.

These labs often offer chest X-rays as well, although a routine chest X-ray isn't considered an effective general screening test for lung cancer, but it will show signs of any growths on the lungs and signs of tuberculosis. It is also worth considering PSA testing for prostate cancer based on your age and individual risk factors.

There are also some important infections that can remain silent for years, particularly hepatitis B and C, which can eventually cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. Getting screened at least once, and periodically if you have risk factors, is worth considering.

I get all of this done once a year, and it costs me under 5,000 baht in total.

Men over 40 should consider having blood work, blood pressure checks, and a urinalysis once a year, along with regular diabetes screening and an annual eye exam to check for glaucoma and other age-related eye problems. Colorectal cancer screening should also begin around age 45 for average-risk adults, with the frequency depending on whether you choose a colonoscopy, stool testing, or another screening method. If you have a family history or other risk factors, screening may need to start earlier or be done more frequently.

There are a number of diseases that don't show symptoms until they are advanced, but if detected early can often be treated or managed before they become serious. Some of the important "silent travelers" that these screening can help detect early include high blood pressure, diabetes and pre-diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis B and C, and, in higher-risk individuals, lung cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The basic idea is simple: don't wait until you feel sick. A relatively inexpensive annual checkup can identify a surprising number of problems while they are still manageable.

I have a blood pressure monitor and oxygen meter at home, check occasionally. Every six months, I have a full blood test at Mengrai labs which costs 1500 baht. The results are emailed to me. I have an ECG/EKG and check cystoscopy once a year.

I am 83 yo.

These large hospitals like the one mentioned above- they are rigged cash machines!

If you use your head and dont rely on over priced rigged insurances schemes. The local hospital will do a full blood panel, chest X-ray - Ultra sound and general examination for around 4k baht. That once yearly should and probably would suit most people if they feel the need to "check".

Personally - I dont try to fix what isnt broken, if I sense something is "off" then of course I will investigate subject to symptoms. But Im more focussed on quality of life than quantity of it and if something "silent and nasty" did appear- then at this age- the best Id look for would be "no pain" the rest nature can do its thing.Im not fighting and potentially years of sickness and loss of dignity to gain a few extra months or a year or two- - nah - pain free and let me go !

14 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I would never trust any doc or hospital, here, TH, or USA, and haven't, always getting a 2nd opinion, and or, done my own research. Research all meds before taking, if you need, or if having contradiction the doc doesn't know about. I've found more than a few over the years.

At a certain age, it's common sense to know and understand the human body, especially your own.

I woke up 3.7 yrs ago with classic blood vessel blockage symptoms. As they started checking off all the boxes, I was showered and off to the ER, with a stop for some aspirin.

Self diagnosed and averted any real damage perfectly. To the point, no longer an emergency, and transported 100km & 1.5 hrs away for stent placement, at the speed limit, even with a stop ... WTF

Anyone 60+ yrs old that doesn't know these symptoms ... oh well

... slight or intense heartburn (didn't have)

... chest pain of discomfort (didn't have)

... discomfort / numbness in right and or left arm ... had 1st

... shortness of breath ... had 2nd

... profused sweating, even in cold shower ... had 3rd and away

... do stop and pick up 325mg of aspirin, or better, have on hand, dosage dependent on severity of symptoms. If a blockage, it thins the blood for easier passage.

HINDSIGHT: everyone should have a finger Oxy meter, and never hurts to start checking your BP at home when doc tells you it's high all the time. Yea, time for a diet and some exercise. Time to pay attention to all your numbers, and adjust where necessary.

While at it, do know how to spot a stroke, even a small one ...

... if you stumble and fall, and don't remember actually tripping over something

... if you drop something out of your hand and didn't realize it till it hit the floor

... check your facial muscles, bite your lip/cheek, left & right

... blink, left and right

... head to a mirror, check again

... any suspiscion, head to hospital ASAP, first hour is most important to avoid major damage.

2 of the easiest to self diagnose, and avert serious damage if given some meds ASAP: blood thinning, vessel relaxing, along with clot busting meds.

In Australia we use a term ..F. A. S .T. = For anyone who thinks they may be having a stroke to check the symptons....F = face dropped....A = arms can't be raised ..S = speech slurred or confused ... T = time...time is critical if you have these symptons This is printed on a fridge magnet F.A S.T....I had a mild stroke 2 years ago and referred to it and rang the ambulance and got sraight to hospital. This info is very handy for all of us oldies because you never know when a stroke is coming.