BE FAST

What Does BE FAST Mean?

The Quick Answer

BE FAST means "Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time."

More Detail...

The acronym BE FAST is used to help identify some common warning signs of a stroke. BE FAST can help to identify if someone has suffered a stroke and acts as a prompt to seek immediate medical attention. The full definition of BE FAST is:

Balance: Is the person experiencing a loss of coordination or are they unable to sit or stand upright?
Eyes: Is the person experiencing problems with their vision, such as seeing double or blurriness in one eye?
Face: Is one side of the face drooping or having difficulty moving?
Arm: Can the person raise both of their arms, or does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Is the person able to speak clearly?
Time: The saying is, "Time is brain." If you notice any of the above symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.

Other symptoms of stroke include: The sudden onset of an acute headache, dizziness, and numbness or weakness on one side of the body.

Image for BE FAST

When I write BE FAST, I mean this:

"Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time"

Summary of Key Points

"Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time" is, by far, the most common meaning for BE FAST when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)