BE-FAST Stroke
Recognition
Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute without treatment, approximately 1.9 million brain cells die.- Use the BE-FAST tool to quickly identify warning signs. If ANY sign is present, call 911 immediately.
Is the person suddenly losing balance or coordination?
Standing steadily, walking in a straight line, coordinated movement.
Sudden dizziness, stumbling, inability to walk, loss of coordination with no apparent cause.
Is the person experiencing sudden vision changes?
Clear, equal vision in both eyes. No sudden changes.
Sudden blurry or double vision, vision loss in one or both eyes, or sudden inability to see on one side.
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Both sides of the face move equally. The smile is symmetrical.
One side of the face droops or is numb. The smile is uneven or one side doesn't move.
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Both arms raise equally and stay up with palms facing upward.
One arm drifts down, feels weak or numb, or cannot be raised at all.
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Clear, easily understood speech. Can repeat a simple sentence without difficulty.
Slurred, garbled, or confused speech. Cannot repeat a simple phrase or uses wrong words.
If ANY sign is present, call 911 immediately. Note the time symptoms started.
No stroke signs detected. Continue to monitor. If symptoms develop, call 911 immediately.
Do not drive to the hospital. Call 911 immediately. Note the exact time symptoms began — this is critical for treatment decisions.
Time Is Brain
Brain cells lost per minute during a stroke without treatment
Treatment window for clot-busting medication (tPA) — time of onset must be known
TIA warning window — a mini-stroke significantly raises risk of major stroke within 24 hours
Never drive a stroke victim to the hospital — EMS can begin assessment and alert the hospital en route
The exact time symptoms began is the most critical piece of information for stroke treatment
If ANY single BE-FAST sign is present, treat it as a stroke emergency — do not wait to see if it improves