B.E. F.A.S.T. Infographic

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B.E. F.A.S.T. info sheet

B.E. F.A.S.T. is how we come together to end stroke®

Learn the stroke warning signs: B.E. F.A.S.T.

  • Balance Loss
  • Eye (Vision) Changes
  • Face Drooping
  • Arm Weakness
  • Speech Difficulty
  • Time to call 911

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.

It could happen on your street, at your workplace, or in a store where you shop — anywhere. Knowing how to recognize the warning signs and acting quickly can save a life and help prevent long‑term disability.

Calling 911 is the fastest way to get stroke care. EMS can begin treatment immediately and alert the hospital stroke team before you arrive. That’s why it’s so important to learn the stroke warning signs and urge everyone you know to do the same.

The faster stroke is treated, the more likely the patient is to recover.

In fact, stroke patients who are treated with a clot-busting drug IV r-tPA Alteplase or Tenecteplase (TNK) within 4.5 hours of their first symptoms were more likely to recover with little or no disability

In some cases, a procedure to remove the clot causingthe stroke is also recommended. Ninety-one percent of stroke patients who were treated with a stent retriever within 150 minutes of first symptoms recovered with little or no disability.

The thing to remember is that stroke is largely treatable. It’s a matter of getting the right treatment, right away.

 

The HCA Healthcare Foundation is a national supporter of Together to End Stroke.

 

© Copyright 2026 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved. American Stroke Association and Together to End Stroke are registered trademarks of the American Heart Association. Unauthorized use prohibited. WF-1450755 3/26