You know that stroke can be a life-threatening condition. But do you know there’s a simple test to identify stroke? And that test goes by the short form: BE FAST.
With stroke cases becoming increasingly common in the modern world, it is important that everyone is aware of the initial stroke symptoms. The reason is that a stroke destroys brain cells every second. The longer the delay in seeking emergency care, the worse the consequences.
By acting fast, you can raise the prospects of the affected person’s survival and recovery. That’s what makes the acronym BE FAST so crucial. It is a simple way to memorise (and identify) initial stroke signs and take action.
Why is it Important to Know B.E.F.A.S.T. Stroke Signs?
- India is witnessing a significant increase in stroke cases
- Stroke is the 2nd major cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 11% (6.8 million) of all deaths (WHO)[1]
- Stroke ranks 4th among the top causes of death in India [2]
- It occupies the 5th position among causes of disability
- Nearly 14 out of 100 affected by stroke lose their lives[3]. Almost half (49.09%) had some form of disability, with 40% having moderate to severe disability.
- Stroke can hit anybody, any time – irrespective of age
- Untreated stroke kills an average of 1.9 million brain cells every minute[4]
- Rush the patient to emergency care immediately
- Early treatment means a higher likelihood of survival and lower chances of permanent disability
| What does CDC say about stroke treatment? Recognise and diagnose a stroke within the first 3 hours of its initial symptoms for stroke treatments to work best. Delay may result in the patient losing the treatment opportunity.[5] |
Why Does a Stroke Happen?
A stroke occurs when the supply of oxygen and other essential nutrients to the brain gets choked. It could either be due to the bursting of a blood vessel inside the brain or the formation of a clot within the brain. Another scenario in the latter case could be a blood clot forming elsewhere in the body and subsequently travelling to the brain to choke the oxygen and blood circulation there.
A stroke issues no warnings before hitting, except in some cases when it is preceded by a TIA (or mini-stroke). Every minute can mean the difference between life and death, and between the patient’s ability to function independently and lifelong disability.
That’s what makes awareness about stroke symptoms essential for all.
Also Read: How to Prevent Brain Stroke? Risks Factors & Prevention Strategies
What Does BEFAST Say?
A simple acronym conveys so much vital stroke information. Let’s see:
| Symptom | Explanation |
| B = Balance Loss | Is the person finding it difficult to maintain balance or coordination? (The person’s ability to walk may suffer. They may stumble or even fall.) It may seem that they are feeling dizzy. |
| E = Eye (Vision) Changes | Any sudden vision changes? Talk to the person. Ask them whether their vision is fine or turning blurry, if they are seeing things in double, or inability to see with one or both eyes. Can they correctly tell the number of fingers shown to them? |
| F = Face Drooping | Has one side of the face drooped? (Smile may seem distorted or uneven, as it would be absent on the affected side.) Half the face may even go numb. |
| A = Arm Weakness | Is one arm numb or lacking strength? When asked to lift both arms, the person may be able to lift only one arm while the other may drift downward. Stroke causes one side of the body (encompassing one arm, one leg, and half the face) to feel weak or go numb. |
| S = Speaking Difficulty | Can the person speak clearly? Are they able to follow your instruction to repeat a simple sentence? Beware if their speech is hard to understand or slurred. The patient may also lose the ability to understand simple sentences. Sometimes, voice may go missing altogether. |
| T = Time to Call Emergency | If you or anyone around you is going through these symptoms, you must rush to the emergency – without any delay! |
Another prominent sign to watch out for is a severe, sudden, and unexplained headache.
Note: Stroke symptoms that resolve on their own may indicate a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack or mini-stroke) and require urgent medical assessment.
Also Read: Brain Stroke: Warning Signs, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, Risk Factors, Prevention
Why Time Matters
Research reveals that patients who are treated within the first 3 hours of the appearance of the first symptoms have significantly better outcomes. Stroke treatment, such as clot-busting medications, has higher efficacy when delivered early. Delayed treatment can result in lifelong disability or even loss of life.
Note: Eligible patients may receive clot-busting treatment within 4.5 hours, while some patients may qualify for later treatment or mechanical thrombectomy after specialist assessment.
Also Read: Can Stroke Happen to Young Adults?
Stroke: Who is at Risk?
Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and at any time. However, some aspects may put you at a greater risk for stroke, such as:
- High blood pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Uncontrolled sugar
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of stroke
- Unhealthy diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Genetics
Age is also a key factor, but younger individuals are also getting increasingly affected by stroke, making awareness essential for all age groups.
Also Read: 9 Habits That Increase Your Risk of Brain Stroke
Stroke Care at Sohana Hospital
With superspeciality care across 30+ medical departments, including specialised neurology and emergency care units, Sohana Hospital has the requisite expertise and equipment to handle complex stroke cases.
Our 24×7 stroke emergency care unit includes experienced neurologists, committed nursing professionals, and expert critical care specialists who come together to provide timely stroke care.
The hospital also has advanced diagnostics, stroke treatment options (including thrombectomy), and modular operating theatres to provide the right care to patients affected by stroke.
Knowledge is Power: Be Aware
A lot of people still lack knowledge about stroke risk factors, early warning signs (BE FAST), and that some precautionary measures can help reduce stroke risk. At Sohana Hospital, we place emphasis on community awareness, timely screenings, and appropriate lifestyle changes to help you reduce your stroke risk.
With a dedicated team of experienced neurologists in Mohali, Chandigarh, we remain committed to providing comprehensive stroke care to the people of the tricity, Punjab, Haryana, and beyond.
Reference Sources
- WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death. The top 10 causes of death – 2 October 2026
- NIH. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8821978/. Stroke in India: A systematic review of the incidence, prevalence, and case fatality – 2 Jul 2021
- NIH. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11927842/. Assessment of Stroke Case-fatality, Disability, Perceived Needs and Barriers for Care among First-ever Stroke Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Neuro-specialty Center in India: A Cross-sectional Study – 23 Jan 2025
- NIH. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16339467/. Time is brain–quantified – Jan 2006
- CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke – 19 May 2026