Act F.A.S.T.

Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need.  The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms. Actually, many Americans are not aware that stroke patients may not be eligible for stroke treatments if they arrive at the hospital after the three-hour window.

Use the following tool to help you recognize stroke symptoms and act F.A.S.T.

• FACE - Ask the person to smile.  Does one side of the face droop? 
• ARMS -  Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward? 
• SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.  Are the words slurred?  Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
• TIME -  If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.  Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.