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Stroke Recognition: The FAST Acronym and Additional Warning Signs You Must Know

F.A.S.T. — Act Immediately

Stroke is a brain attack—blood flow interrupted (ischemic, 87%) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Every minute, 1.9 million neurons die. Recognize and respond:

LetterSignTest
F — FaceDrooping, asymmetry, numbnessAsk to smile—uneven?
A — ArmWeakness, numbness, driftAsk to raise both—one drifts down?
S — SpeechSlurred, garbled, unable to speak/understandAsk to repeat a simple sentence—"The sky is blue."
T — TimeCall 911 IMMEDIATELY if ANY sign presentNote time of onset. Time is brain.

Additional Stroke Warning Signs

  • Sudden confusion, disorientation
  • Sudden vision trouble: blurred, double vision, loss in one eye
  • Sudden dizziness, loss of balance/coordination, trouble walking
  • Sudden severe headache ("thunderclap")—especially hemorrhagic
  • Sudden numbness/weakness of face, arm, leg (one side)
  • Seizure (new onset)
  • Loss of consciousness

Critical Actions

  • DO NOT WAIT to see if symptoms improve.
  • DO NOT DRIVE yourself or let someone drive you—EMS starts treatment en route, alerts stroke team.
  • DO NOT GIVE aspirin, food, water—swallowing may be impaired.
  • DO note exact time symptoms started (or "last known well").
  • DO unlock door for paramedics.

Why Speed Matters

  • IV tPA (clot-buster): window ≤4.5 hrs from onset (earlier = better)
  • Mechanical thrombectomy: ≤24 hrs for large vessel occlusion (selected patients)
  • Early treatment = less disability, higher chance of independent recovery

Remember

BE FAST adds Balance and Eyes to the acronym. Any sudden neurological change = 911. You cannot overreact to a possible stroke.

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