11/06/2025
Therapy Thursday 💪🏼
BE FAST to spot the signs of a stroke
BE FAST is an acronym, meaning each letter of these two words stands for a different sign of stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
Remembering BE FAST can help you recognize when you or someone else is having a stroke in order to seek immediate care. But what does the term BE FAST mean in practice? Let’s take a closer look:
B is for balance: Loss of balance or coordination.
E is for eyes: Changes in your vision, like losing sight in one or both eyes or starting to see double vision.
F is for face: Drooping facial features on one side of the face.
A is for arms (and legs): Weakness in one of your (or someone else’s) limbs. “If you raise your arms or legs and one of them drifts down, that’s a concern,” Dr. Buletko says.
S is for speech: Slurring words or otherwise having difficulty speaking or understanding others.
T is for time: Don’t take a “wait and see” approach. Call 911 or emergency services immediately.
