A recent study presented at the upcoming American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 suggests that the F.A.S.T. acronym may be more effective in helping the public recognize and respond to stroke symptoms compared to the BE-FAST alternative. Approximately 800,000 people in the United States experience a stroke annually, making rapid recognition and response critical for minimizing long-term effects and preventing potential fatalities. The research focused on comparing two stroke warning sign acronyms: F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) and BE-FAST (Balance, Eye, Face, Arm, Speech, Time).
The study, led by Dr. Opeolu Adeoye from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, revealed key findings about public awareness and response to stroke symptoms. Researchers conducted a nationally representative online survey with participants randomly assigned to either the F.A.S.T. or BE-FAST groups. Immediately after viewing an educational video, both acronym groups showed significant improvements in their likelihood of calling 911 if a stroke was suspected, increasing from approximately 70% to 90%. However, the F.A.S.T. acronym demonstrated a notably higher ability to help participants recall key stroke warning signs.
At the 30-day follow-up, both groups maintained an elevated likelihood of calling 911 (86% for F.A.S.T. and 87% for BE-FAST). Yet, the F.A.S.T. group consistently showed better performance in remembering the critical symptoms represented by the letters F, A, and S. Dr. Adeoye emphasized the study's significance, noting that while healthcare professionals aim to provide comprehensive warning sign mnemonics, adding extra letters can make recall more challenging for the general public.
The research suggests that simplicity might be key in public health communication strategies. By maintaining a more concise acronym, organizations can potentially improve public understanding and rapid response to potential stroke symptoms. The study was sponsored by the American Stroke Association with funding support from the HCA Healthcare Foundation. Researchers hope these findings will inform future stroke awareness and education efforts. The American Stroke Association provides resources about stroke prevention and recognition at https://www.stroke.org. The International Stroke Conference 2025 will feature this research and other important findings at https://professional.heart.org/en/meetings/international-stroke-conference.
