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Mnemonic utilization in stroke education: FAST and BEFAST adoption by certified comprehensive stroke centers

Public education plays an important role in facilitating the prompt recognition of stroke symptoms and ensuring timely access to reperfusion therapy. Within educational campaigns, two commonly employed mnemonic aids are FAST (Face-Arm-Speech-Time) and BEFAST (Balance-Eyes-Face-Arm Speech-Time). The FAST mnemonic, although while widely recognized, can still overlook up to 14% of stroke cases, particularly those involving common posterior circulation symptoms. While this has led to the adoption of BEFAST mnemonic by many centers, having consistency in public messaging remains paramount.

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 Stroke can happen to anyone – an expert explains how to spot the signs and act fast

Fast highlights the most common warning signs of stroke, but some strokes present differently. To make sure fewer cases are missed, additional symptoms such as dizziness, visual changes and loss of balance have been added, creating the Be Fast acronym.

 Stroke can happen to anyone – an expert explains how to spot the signs and act fast

Treating a stroke is a race against time because, as doctors say, “time is brain”: the longer the brain is starved of blood and oxygen, the more brain cells die. Treatments that can dissolve or remove a clot in an ischaemic stroke or lower dangerously high blood pressure in a haemorrhagic stroke must be given quickly to limit brain damage.

Articles of Interest

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Its easiest to remember the signs of a stroke with the acronym BE FAST. B is for balance, so a sudden loss of balance or sudden dizziness, E is for eyes. This means sudden changes, losses or disruptions in vision. F is for face, a sudden drooping, loss of sensation or numbness to one side of the face. A is for arms, a sudden loss of movement, or weakness in one arm or leg or the arm and leg on one side of the body. S is for speech. This can be garbled words, inability to speak at all, or words used incorrectly or difficulty finding words. Basically, a sudden change in speech in any form. T is for time. If you see any of the BE FAST signs, it’s time to call 911 and check the time, so you know when symptoms started and can communicate that to the EMS providers who answer the 911 call and the staff and physicians at the hospital. Be stroke aware. Learn BE FAST, teach it to your loved ones. Even little kids can learn BE FAST and can learn to call 911. React to stroke symptoms the same way you would react to a trauma—seek medical care quickly so if your stroke can be treated you have the best chance of symptom reversal.

BE FAST to identify stroke and save a life

I can’t overstate the importance of the “T” for time factor. It’s the only part of the acronym that isn’t a symptom, but it’s vital to include – because quick action is key to treatments that can be offered for strokes.

Hard-hitting FAST stroke awareness campaign has FAILED to improve public awareness, concludes study

It's the hard-hitting advert that has graced our TV screens for nearly a decade. But the FAST campaign has failed to help patients recognise the signs of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor strokes. Scientists discovered such patients who had seen the adverts were 13 per cent less likely to seek help within three hours than those who hadn't.

In a medical emergency, who in your social network will call for help quickest?

Delay in seeking treatment is a major reason for disability and death worldwide. Mass education campaigns to increase awareness have done little to change these numbers.

Most U.S. Women Wouldn't Know A Stroke If They Saw Or Felt One

The classic symptoms of a drooping face, speech difficulty or weakness or numbness in one of the arms can be signs of stroke, says Heidi Mochari-Greenberger, an epidemiologist at Columbia University and the study's lead author. That means your brain isn't getting oxygen, either because the blood supply is blocked or because a blood vessel has ruptured, But those aren't the only indicators. Lesser-known and more ambiguous symptoms can include a sudden onset of dizziness, severe headache or vision loss.

Stroke Awareness Month: The young people affected

When Lauren Watson woke up in hospital aged 25, the only word she could say was "yeah", even if she meant no.

Stroke warning sign acronyms drive 911 calls, F.A.S.T. leads in symptom recall for public

Both F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST acronyms motivated people to call 911 right away for a possible stroke, and this impact lasted for 30 days. F.A.S.T. outperformed BE-FAST in the ability for people to remember key stroke warning signs (face, arm and speech), suggesting the additional letters of B and E hinder memory recall.

What Good Is 'Raising Awareness?'

Just being educated about diseases isn't enough to make people healthier.

When Autocorrect Isn’t to Blame

A jumbled text message could help diagnose a stroke.

With Strokes, Knowledge Is a Lifesaver

About only one stroke victim in five who could benefit from t-PA receives it, primarily because people don’t realize a stroke is happening and wait too long to get to the hospital.

Resources

Scott Coopersmith Stroke Awareness Foundation

The Scott Coopersmith Stroke Awareness Foundation is dedicated to connecting with those affected by stroke. Through community outreach, we raise funds to further the awareness of stroke in young individuals, encourage the rehabilitation of survivors, and provide emotional and financial assistance to survivors and caregivers.

StrokeAwareness

Helpful information and education about stroke.

Get Ahead of Stroke

Get Ahead of Stroke is a national public education and advocacy campaign designed to improve systems of care for stroke patients.

Know Stroke

The National Institutes of Health through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) developed the Know Stroke. Know the Signs. Act in Time. campaign to help educate the public about the symptoms of stroke and the importance of getting to the hospital quickly.

CDC

Individuals can help prevent a stroke by making behavioral and lifestyle changes that lower their risk.