The mnemonic that can help easily recognize the common signs of stroke and provide EMS professionals with crucial life-saving information is "FAST," which stands for Face, Arm, Speech, and Time. It is widely used to quickly identify stroke symptoms—facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties—and emphasizes the urgency of calling emergency services immediately. An extended version called "BE-FAST" adds Balance and Eyes to help recognize additional stroke signs like sudden loss of balance or vision changes, improving detection especially for posterior circulation strokes. However, FAST remains the simpler and very effective tool for rapid stroke recognition by both the public and EMS professionals.
FAST Breakdown
- F (Face): Check for facial drooping or uneven smile
- A (Arm): Test if one arm drifts downward when raised
- S (Speech): Listen for slurred or strange speech
- T (Time): Note the time symptoms started and seek immediate medical help
BE-FAST Additions
- B (Balance): Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E (Eyes): Sudden vision changes like blurred or double vision
Both mnemonics are valuable, but FAST is often promoted for its simplicity and quick recall in emergencies.
