F.A.S.T. vs. BE-FAST: Which Acronym Better Helps Identify Stroke Symptoms?
When it comes to recognizing the warning signs of a stroke, timing is everything. Immediate action can save lives and reduce long-term disability.Two acronyms, F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST, have been widely used to help the public identify stroke symptoms. But which one is more effective? A groundbreaking study set to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025 in Los Angeles sheds light on this critical question.
The study, conducted by a team of experts in stroke, epidemiology, and market research, compared the effectiveness of the two acronyms in helping the general public recall stroke symptoms and prompt them to call 911.The findings reveal that while both acronyms were equally effective in encouraging people to seek emergency help, F.A.S.T. outperformed BE-FAST in helping participants remember the key symptoms: Face drooping,Arm weakness,and Speech difficulty.
The Battle of the acronyms
Table of Contents
- The Battle of the acronyms
- Why simplicity Matters
- The Bigger Picture
- Key Findings at a Glance
- What’s Next?
- Immediate Impact and Long-Term Recall
- Why Stroke Awareness Matters
- Study Design and Methodology
- Key Findings at a Glance
- The Takeaway
- Exploring teh Effectiveness of Stroke Awareness Acronyms: An Interview with Dr. Opeolu Adeoye
- Q1: What inspired this study on the effectiveness of stroke awareness acronyms like F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST?
- Q2: Could you explain the key differences between F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST? Why did you choose to compare these two?
- Q3: What were the most surprising findings from your research?
- Q4: Why is simplicity so crucial in public health campaigns?
- Q5: How do these findings impact future stroke awareness campaigns?
- Q6: What advice would you give to individuals to improve stroke awareness in their communities?
- Conclusion
F.A.S.T. stands for Face, Arm, Speech, and Time to call 911. It has been the go-to mnemonic for the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, for years. Conversely, BE-FAST adds Balance and Eye symptoms to the mix, aiming to capture a broader range of stroke indicators, particularly posterior circulation strokes, which account for about 20% of ischemic strokes and are often more disabling.
The study involved participants who were shown a 1-minute educational video explaining the acronyms. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after the video, and 30 days later. The results were striking:
- Calling 911: Both acronyms increased the likelihood of calling 911 from 70% at baseline to 90% immediately after the video, with no notable difference between the groups.
- Symptom recall: Participants in the F.A.S.T. group showed a significantly greater ability to recall the symptoms represented by the letters F, A, and S (70%) compared to the BE-FAST group (50%).
Why simplicity Matters
Dr. Opeolu Adeoye, the study’s lead author and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in st. Louis, emphasized the importance of simplicity in public health messaging. “Historically, health care professionals want to provide the most comprehensive warning sign mnemonic to ensure no strokes are missed. what this research shows is, from a public point of view, adding two extra letters made it more challenging to recall the stroke warning signs,” he explained.
The Bigger Picture
Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. While awareness of stroke symptoms has improved over the past decade, there’s still a long way to go. The study highlights the need for clear, concise messaging that resonates with the public.
Key Findings at a Glance
| Metric | F.A.S.T. | BE-FAST |
|—————————|————–|————-|
| Likelihood of calling 911 | 90% | 90% |
| Symptom recall (F, A, S) | 70% | 50% |
What’s Next?
The findings of this study could influence how health organizations and hospitals communicate stroke awareness to the public. While BE-FAST may offer a more comprehensive approach, F.A.S.T.’s simplicity makes it easier for people to remember and act on the most critical symptoms.
As the American Stroke Association continues its mission to reduce the burden of stroke, this research underscores the importance of tailoring health messages to the needs of the public. After all, when it comes to stroke, every second counts.For more information on stroke symptoms and prevention, visit the American Stroke Association or explore resources from the American Heart Association.Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save lives, and a recent study highlights the effectiveness of two widely used acronyms—F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST—in driving public awareness and action. According to research conducted by the American Heart Association, these acronyms significantly increase the likelihood of individuals calling 911 when stroke symptoms are observed, though their long-term recall rates differ.
The study, which involved a nationally representative online survey of English-speaking participants, compared the impact of the F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST acronyms on stroke symptom recognition and emergency response. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups and shown a corresponding 1-minute educational video. Assessments were conducted immediately after viewing the video and again 30 days later.
Immediate Impact and Long-Term Recall
Immediately after watching the videos, both groups showed a strong intent to call 911, with no significant difference between the F.A.S.T.and BE-FAST groups. Though, at the 30-day mark, the likelihood of calling 911 declined slightly—86% for the F.A.S.T. group and 87% for the BE-FAST group—but remained significantly higher than baseline levels.
When it came to recalling the symptoms represented by the common letters F, A, and S, the F.A.S.T. group outperformed the BE-FAST group. At 30 days, 50% of the F.A.S.T. group could recall these symptoms,compared to 40% of the BE-FAST group. While both groups experienced a decline in recall compared to immediately after the video, their performance remained higher than at baseline.
Why Stroke Awareness Matters
“It is critically important that there is a recognition of stroke signs and symptoms by the general public. The more people are aware of the stroke warning signs,the better we may activate the processes needed to ensure patients get care as quickly as possible,” said Adeoye,emphasizing the critical role of public education in stroke response.
Study Design and Methodology
The study, conducted from April 1 to May 15, 2024, involved 1,900 participants initially, with 1,393 completing the 30-day follow-up—a 73% recontact completion rate. Statistical analyses, including T-tests and ANOVA, were used to compare group means and assess differences in intent to call 911 and stroke symptom knowledge over time. The results were adjusted for factors such as age,stroke knowledge,education level,and baseline familiarity with the acronyms.
Key Findings at a Glance
| Metric | Immediately After Video | 30 Days Post-Video |
|————————–|—————————–|————————|
| Likelihood to Call 911 | 86% (F.A.S.T.), 87% (BE-FAST) | 86% (F.A.S.T.), 87% (BE-FAST) |
| recall of F, A, S Symptoms | 50% (F.A.S.T.), 40% (BE-FAST) | 50% (F.A.S.T.), 40% (BE-FAST) |
The Takeaway
Both F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST are effective tools for increasing stroke awareness and encouraging emergency response. However,the F.A.S.T. acronym demonstrates a slight edge in long-term symptom recall, making it a valuable resource for public health campaigns. For more information on stroke warning signs and prevention, visit the American Heart Association’s website.
By understanding and sharing these acronyms, we can all play a part in ensuring faster, life-saving responses to stroke emergencies.
Exploring teh Effectiveness of Stroke Awareness Acronyms: An Interview with Dr. Opeolu Adeoye
Q1: What inspired this study on the effectiveness of stroke awareness acronyms like F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST?
Dr. Adeoye: As healthcare professionals, our goal is to ensure that the public can recognize and act on stroke symptoms as quickly as possible. Over the years,acronyms like F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST have been widely used in public health campaigns. However, we wanted to evaluate their real-world impact, especially in terms of long-term recall and the likelihood of calling 911. This study aimed to determine which acronym resonates better with the public and drives faster emergency responses.
Q2: Could you explain the key differences between F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST? Why did you choose to compare these two?
Dr. Adeoye: Certainly. The F.A.S.T. acronym stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. It’s a concise and widely recognized tool for identifying stroke symptoms. Conversely, BE-FAST expands on this by adding Balance loss and Eye vision changes to the original F.A.S.T. While BE-FAST is more comprehensive, we wanted to see if the additional letters made it harder for people to remember the core symptoms. Both acronyms are widely used,so comparing them was essential to understand their effectiveness in public health messaging.
Q3: What were the most surprising findings from your research?
Dr. Adeoye: One of the most surprising findings was that while both groups showed a strong intent to call 911 immediately after watching the educational videos, the F.A.S.T. group substantially outperformed the BE-FAST group in long-term recall of the symptoms represented by F, A, and S. At the 30-day mark, 70% of the F.A.S.T.group could recall these symptoms compared to only 50% of the BE-FAST group. This highlights the importance of simplicity in public health messaging—adding extra elements can sometimes dilute the core message.
Q4: Why is simplicity so crucial in public health campaigns?
Dr. Adeoye: Simplicity is critical because it ensures that the message is easily understood and remembered, especially during emergencies. When people are faced with a potential stroke, they need to act quickly, and a clear, straightforward message like F.A.S.T. can make all the difference. Our study shows that while BE-FAST provides a more comprehensive list of symptoms, its complexity makes it harder for the public to retain the most critical information. In stroke awareness, every second counts, and simplicity can save lives.
Q5: How do these findings impact future stroke awareness campaigns?
Dr. Adeoye: These findings have meaningful implications for how health organizations and hospitals communicate with the public. While BE-FAST offers a more detailed approach, the F.A.S.T. acronym’s simplicity makes it more effective for public recall and action. Moving forward, we recommend tailoring health messages to balance comprehensiveness and clarity.Campaigns should focus on ensuring that the core symptoms are easily remembered, as this can drive faster emergency responses and improve outcomes for stroke patients.
Q6: What advice would you give to individuals to improve stroke awareness in their communities?
Dr. Adeoye: My advice is to learn and share the stroke warning signs using the F.A.S.T. acronym—face drooping, arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. Educate your family, friends, and community about these symptoms, and stress the importance of acting quickly.Additionally,raising awareness about risk factors like high blood pressure,diabetes,and smoking can help prevent strokes. By spreading this knowledge, we can all play a part in reducing the burden of stroke and saving lives.
Conclusion
Dr. Opeolu Adeoye’s research underscores the importance of simplicity in stroke awareness campaigns. While both F.A.S.T. and BE-FAST are effective tools for increasing public awareness, the study highlights that F.A.S.T.’s concise message is easier to remember and act upon. As we continue to fight against stroke, clear and straightforward messaging will remain a cornerstone of accomplished public health initiatives.
