FAST
FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech, Time.
Ask the person to smile.
Is there dropping on one side of the face?
Ask the person to raise both arms.
Does one arm drift downward or appear weak?
Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as “The sky is blue.”
Does the person have trouble speaking, or is their speech slurred?
- If the person has trouble performing any of these actions or shows other symptoms, note the time the signs or symptoms started.
- Call 911 or the designated emergency number immediately.
- Prompt medical attention may reduce the amount of disability the person experiences as a result of stroke.