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When Every Second Counts: Know the Signs of a Stroke

Mon, Nov 3rd 2025, 11:38 AM
Health

A stroke can strike without warning, and when it does, every second counts. While the experience can be frightening to witness or endure, being prepared can make all the difference. Fortunately, there’s a simple, life-saving acronym that helps you quickly recognize the warning signs of a stroke.
 
“The most common signs people know about are facial droopiness and limb weakness,” says Cleveland Clinic Neurologist Blake Buletko, MD, “but there are other important signs to know about, too, so you can take quick action if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.”
 
Dr. Buletko explains the acronym BE FAST, which can help you remember the six major signs of a stroke.
 
BE FAST is an acronym, meaning each letter of these two words stands for a different sign of stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms (Legs), Speech and Time.
 
“Remembering BE FAST can help you recognize when you or someone else is having a stroke in order to seek immediate care,” Dr. Buletko says. But what does the term BE FAST mean in practice?
 
Loss of balance or coordination; changes in your vision, like losing sight in one or both eyes or starting to see double vision; drooping facial features on one side of the face; weakness in one of your (or someone else’s) limbs. “If you raise your arms or legs and one of them drifts down, that’s a concern,” Dr. Buletko says; slurring words or otherwise having difficulty speaking or understanding others; don’t take a “wait and see” approach. Call emergency services immediately.
 
“Remember that in the case of a stroke, you’re looking for sudden signs and symptoms,” Dr. Buletko stresses.
 
If these signs and symptoms occur over a longer period of time, several hours to days to weeks, they may be signs of other medical conditions. For example, Bell’s palsy can cause droopy features, and migraines can cause double vision. However, when they appear suddenly and together, think stroke, and act accordingly.
 
Running through the BE FAST stroke acronym can help you determine whether you or someone else is having a stroke. Then, for the best chance of survival and recovery, it’s critical to receive care as quickly as possible.
 
“‘Time is brain’, that’s what we say over and over and over again,” Dr. Buletko says. “You lose millions of neurons for every single minute your brain isn’t getting enough blood.”
 
During a stroke, you lose as many as 2 million brain cells per minute. This is one of the many reasons not to downplay the seriousness when it comes to the warning signs of a stroke.
 
“I encourage people not to dismiss these symptoms,” he states, “and I also encourage you not to think that you can get to an emergency department on your own faster than calling 911.”
 
Why call for help instead of trying to rush to the hospital yourself? It all comes down to the time it takes for you to get care. Paramedics are trained and equipped to assess your condition and provide on-the-go care that can save your life as they transport you to a hospital that can treat you. In some cases, they may even be able to give you anti-clotting medications and do a CT scan on the way there.
 
“It’s extremely important to try to deliver stroke care as quickly as possible,” Dr. Buletko reiterates, “so the best thing to do is always to call 911.”
 
About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

A stroke can strike without warning, and when it does, every second counts. While the experience can be frightening to witness or endure, being prepared can make all the difference. Fortunately, there’s a simple, life-saving acronym that helps you quickly recognize the warning signs of a stroke.
 
“The most common signs people know about are facial droopiness and limb weakness,” says Cleveland Clinic Neurologist Blake Buletko, MD, “but there are other important signs to know about, too, so you can take quick action if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.”
 
Dr. Buletko explains the acronym BE FAST, which can help you remember the six major signs of a stroke.
 
BE FAST is an acronym, meaning each letter of these two words stands for a different sign of stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms (Legs), Speech and Time.
 
“Remembering BE FAST can help you recognize when you or someone else is having a stroke in order to seek immediate care,” Dr. Buletko says. But what does the term BE FAST mean in practice?
 
Loss of balance or coordination; changes in your vision, like losing sight in one or both eyes or starting to see double vision; drooping facial features on one side of the face; weakness in one of your (or someone else’s) limbs. “If you raise your arms or legs and one of them drifts down, that’s a concern,” Dr. Buletko says; slurring words or otherwise having difficulty speaking or understanding others; don’t take a “wait and see” approach. Call emergency services immediately.
 
“Remember that in the case of a stroke, you’re looking for sudden signs and symptoms,” Dr. Buletko stresses.
 
If these signs and symptoms occur over a longer period of time, several hours to days to weeks, they may be signs of other medical conditions. For example, Bell’s palsy can cause droopy features, and migraines can cause double vision. However, when they appear suddenly and together, think stroke, and act accordingly.
 
Running through the BE FAST stroke acronym can help you determine whether you or someone else is having a stroke. Then, for the best chance of survival and recovery, it’s critical to receive care as quickly as possible.
 
“‘Time is brain’, that’s what we say over and over and over again,” Dr. Buletko says. “You lose millions of neurons for every single minute your brain isn’t getting enough blood.”
 
During a stroke, you lose as many as 2 million brain cells per minute. This is one of the many reasons not to downplay the seriousness when it comes to the warning signs of a stroke.
 
“I encourage people not to dismiss these symptoms,” he states, “and I also encourage you not to think that you can get to an emergency department on your own faster than calling 911.”
 
Why call for help instead of trying to rush to the hospital yourself? It all comes down to the time it takes for you to get care. Paramedics are trained and equipped to assess your condition and provide on-the-go care that can save your life as they transport you to a hospital that can treat you. In some cases, they may even be able to give you anti-clotting medications and do a CT scan on the way there.
 
“It’s extremely important to try to deliver stroke care as quickly as possible,” Dr. Buletko reiterates, “so the best thing to do is always to call 911.”
 
 
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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