03/02/2026
Don't just act fast...
BE FAST 💪🏻⚕️💚
🧠 B.E.F.A.S.T – Spot Stroke, Save Time
B – Balance
Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
Unexplained dizziness, trouble walking, or falling to one side.
E – Eyes
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.
Blurred vision, double vision, or complete loss of sight.
F – Face
Facial drooping on one side.
Ask the person to smile. Does one side sag?
A – Arms
Arm weakness or numbness.
Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
S – Speech
Slurred speech, understanding spoken words or difficulty finding words. Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is it unclear or confused?
T – Time
Time to call 999 immediately.
Stroke treatment is incredibly time-critical.
Every minute matters.
Why BEFAST matters
The older system was “FAST.” BEFAST adds Balance and Eyes, which catch additional types of stroke that FAST can miss.
Using BEFAST improves early recognition, and early recognition means faster treatment, less brain damage, and better recovery.
Key points to remember
Stroke symptoms usually come on suddenly
Even if symptoms improve or disappear, it’s still an emergency
❌Do not wait to see if it gets better
Do not drive the person to hospital yourself
✅Call 999 and say: I think this is a stroke.
A quick street-level check
If you ever suspect a stroke, run this rapid sequence:
“Are they steady?
Can they see properly?
Is the face drooping?
Can they lift both arms?
Is the speech normal?”
If ANY answer worries you → T = Time to call 999
