B.E. F.A.S.T. to Identify Stroke

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is suddenly blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When that happens, brain cells start to die within minutes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS], 2024).

Stroke is:

• A medical emergency

• A leading cause of serious long-term disability

• One of the top causes of death in adults (American Stroke Association, 2025; CDC, 2024)

  
  

The good news:If you recognize the signs early and call 911 right away, doctors can often give treatments that save brain cells and improve recovery.

That’s why we use the phrase B.E. F.A.S.T. to remember the main warning signs of stroke (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; Duke Health, 2024; Scripps Health, 2025).

What Does B.E. F.A.S.T. Mean?

B.E. F.A.S.T. is an acronym.Each letter stands for a common stroke warning sign:

B – BalanceE – EyesF – FaceA – ArmsS – SpeechT – Time

Let’s break it down.

B – Balance

Ask: “Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?”

Signs might include (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; UAB, 2025):

• Sudden trouble walking

• Staggering or leaning to one side

• Feeling very dizzy all of a sudden

  
  

This is especially worrying if it comes out of nowhere and is different from their normal.

E – Eyes

Ask: “Is there a sudden change in vision?”

Examples:

• Sudden blurry vision

• Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes

• Double vision (seeing two of everything) (Duke Health, 2024; Northwestern Medicine, 2024)

  
  

Sudden vision changes + other symptoms = possible stroke.

F – Face

Ask them to smile.

Look for:

• One side of the face drooping

• The smile looks uneven or crooked

• Numbness on one side of the face

  
  

This is one of the classic stroke signs (American Stroke Association, 2024; NINDS, 2024).

A – Arms

Ask them to:

“Raise both arms out in front of you.”

Watch for:

• One arm drifting down

• Weakness or numbness in one arm

• Not being able to lift one arm at all (American Stroke Association, 2024; NINDS, 2024)

  
  

Arm weakness on one side of the body is a major red flag.

S – Speech

Listen to how they talk.

Signs of stroke can include:

• Slurred speech

• Using the wrong words

• Trouble finding words

• Not understanding what you’re saying (American Stroke Association, 2024; NINDS, 2024)

  
  

Ask them to repeat a simple sentence, like:

“Today is a sunny day.”

If they can’t say it clearly or correctly, that’s a warning sign.

T – Time

Time = brain.

If you see any of the B.E. F.A.S.T. signs—even if they:

• Come and go

• Seem mild

• The person says, “I’m fine, it’ll pass”

Call 911 immediately. Don’t drive yourself.

Treatments for stroke work best in the first few hours after symptoms start. Some clot-busting medicines and procedures are only available for a short window (American Stroke Association, 2025; Scripps Health, 2025).

Never wait to “see if it gets better.”It is always safer to be checked.

Other Possible Stroke Symptoms

B.E. F.A.S.T. covers the most common sudden stroke signs. But there can be others, including (CDC, 2024; NINDS, 2024):

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

• Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg)

• Sudden trouble understanding others

• Sudden confusion or trouble thinking

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of coordination

  
  

Again, if you see these suddenly, especially in an adult with stroke risk factors, call 911.

Who Is at Higher Risk for Stroke?

Anyone can have a stroke—even younger adults—but risk is higher if you (American Heart

Association/American Stroke Association [AHA/ASA], 2024; CDC, 2024):

• Have high blood pressure

• Have diabetes

• Have high cholesterol

• Smoke or vape nicotine

• Have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

• Have obesity

• Are physically inactive

• Have a strong family history of stroke

  
  

The 2024 AHA/ASA stroke prevention guidelines stress that controlling blood pressure, managing blood sugar and cholesterol, being active, not smoking, and limiting alcohol are key ways to prevent a first stroke (AHA/ASA, 2024; GuidelineCentral, 2024).

What Should You Do if You Suspect a Stroke?

1. Call 911 right away.

   
   

   • Do not drive the person yourself if you can avoid it.

   • EMS can start care on the way and get the person to the right hospital faster.

     
     

2. Note the time you last saw them normal.

   • This helps doctors decide which treatments are safe.

     
     

3. Stay with the person.

   • Keep them safe and comfortable.

   • Don’t give them food, drinks, or medicine unless told by EMS.

     
     

4. Bring a list of their medications if you can.

   
   

Quick action can mean the difference between:

• Walking out of the hospital

• Needing long-term care

• Or not surviving the stroke (NINDS, 2024; American Stroke Association, 2025).

  
  

Tee Shirt: Education You Can Wear (B.E. F.A.S.T. Stroke Tee)

You already know this is a “see it, say it, save a life” topic.Putting B.E. F.A.S.T. on a tee shirt turns every hallway, grocery store, or health fair into a mini stroke-education session.

The NurseMob B.E. F.A.S.T. Stroke Tee can display:

• B – Balance: sudden loss of balance

• E – Eyes: sudden vision changes

• F – Face: one side drooping

• A – Arms: weakness in one arm

• S – Speech: slurred or confused

• T – Time: call 911 now

  
  

These are the same core signs taught by major stroke organizations and health systems (American Stroke Association, 2024; Cleveland Clinic, 2024; Duke Health, 2024; UAB, 2025; Scripps Health, 2025).

Every time someone wears this tee:

• In a clinic or hospital

• At a health fair or community event

• During a school or church program

• Or just out running errands

  
  

they are:

• Reminding others what stroke looks like

• Teaching people that calling 911 immediately can save brain and life

• Helping families and patients remember the letters under stress

  
  

The more B.E. F.A.S.T. shirts out there, the more chances someone has to:

• Recognize a stroke

• React quickly

• And maybe be the reason someone gets to live with less disability instead of more.

  
  

You can find the B.E. F.A.S.T. stroke awareness tee (and other “education you can wear” designs) in the NurseMob shop, created by a nurse to blend real medicine, prevention, and everyday style.

Stroke Awareness

From$18.00

Buy Now

“A stroke is when blood flow to the brain is suddenly blocked or a vessel bursts.To spot it, remember B.E. F.A.S.T.:Balance problems,Eye changes,Face drooping,Arm weakness,Speech trouble,and Time to call 911.If you see even one of these suddenly, don’t wait—call for help right away.”

Key References

American Stroke Association. (2024). Stroke symptoms and warning signs.

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. (2024). 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke. Stroke, 55(12), e344–e424.

American Stroke Association. (2025). Know the stroke signs and save lives. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Stroke facts and About stroke.

Cleveland Clinic. (2024). BE FAST to spot the signs of a stroke. 

Duke Health. (2024). Know the signs of stroke – BE FAST. 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Know stroke: See the signs. Act F.A.S.T.

Northwestern Medicine. (2024). Warning signs of a stroke.

Scripps Health. (2025). How to stop a stroke? BE FAST. 

UAB Medicine. (2025). BE FAST to detect a stroke: Every minute counts. 

GuidelineCentral. (2024). AHA/ASA’s primary stroke prevention 2024 vs 201