Recognizing a Stroke: The F.A.S.T. Method & First Aid Response

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association report that nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. The key to surviving a stroke with minimal damage is recognizing the symptoms immediately and getting emergency treatment within the critical treatment window.

The AHA developed the F.A.S.T. acronym to help anyone recognize stroke symptoms quickly. F stands for Face Drooping — ask the person to smile and check if one side of the face droops or feels numb. A stands for Arm Weakness — ask the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward or cannot be raised. S stands for Speech Difficulty — ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and listen for slurred or strange speech. T stands for Time to Call 911 — if you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately, even if the symptoms seem to go away.

Additional stroke symptoms beyond F.A.S.T. include sudden severe headache with no known cause, sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden dizziness or loss of balance, and sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg — especially on one side of the body.

What to do while waiting for EMS: Note the exact time symptoms first appeared — this information is critical for emergency physicians to determine treatment options. The clot-busting drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) must be administered within 3 to 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Keep the person calm and comfortable. Do not give them food, water, or medication, as their swallowing reflex may be impaired. If the person is conscious, have them lie down with their head slightly elevated. If they become unconscious, place them in the recovery position on their side.

What NOT to do: Do not drive the person to the hospital yourself — call 911 so paramedics can begin treatment en route and alert the hospital to prepare the stroke team. Do not give aspirin unless specifically directed by a 911 dispatcher, as some strokes are caused by bleeding rather than clots, and aspirin could worsen a hemorrhagic stroke. Do not let the person "sleep it off" or wait to see if symptoms improve.

Time is brain. The AHA estimates that for every minute a stroke goes untreated, approximately 1.9 million brain cells die. Rapid recognition and response can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability — or death. Our First Aid courses in Tallahassee cover stroke recognition, heart attack identification, and other medical emergency responses so you can act with confidence when every second counts.