Study Shows F.A.S.T. Stroke Warning System More Effective for Public Memory Recall

A new study comparing stroke warning systems has found that the simpler F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) acronym outperforms the expanded BE-FAST version in helping the public remember critical stroke symptoms, though both systems effectively encourage emergency response.

The research, to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025, showed that immediately after viewing educational materials, participants' ability to recall key symptoms rose significantly higher with F.A.S.T. (70%) compared to BE-FAST (50%). This advantage persisted even after 30 days, with F.A.S.T. maintaining 50% recall versus 40% for BE-FAST.

These findings carry significant implications for public health messaging and stroke outcomes. With approximately 800,000 Americans suffering strokes annually, effective symptom recognition and immediate treatment are crucial for survival and reducing long-term disability. The study suggests that adding additional symptoms to the acronym (Balance and Eye in BE-FAST) may actually hinder public recall of the most critical warning signs.

"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," said study lead author Opeolu Adeoye, M.D., from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Both acronyms proved equally effective at motivating emergency response, with the likelihood of calling 911 increasing from 70% to 90% immediately after education, and maintaining at about 86-87% after 30 days. This sustained improvement in emergency response awareness could prove crucial, as immediate treatment is vital for stroke survival and recovery.