Study Reveals F.A.S.T. Acronym More Effective for Stroke Symptom Recall

A recent study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 has revealed critical insights into stroke awareness communication, demonstrating that the F.A.S.T. acronym may be more effective in helping the public remember and recognize stroke warning signs compared to the BE-FAST alternative.

The research, led by Dr. Opeolu Adeoye from Washington University School of Medicine, examined how different stroke warning sign acronyms impact public response and symptom recall. With approximately 800,000 people in the United States experiencing a stroke annually, effective communication of warning signs can be life-saving.

The study found that both F.A.S.T. (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) and BE-FAST (Balance, Eye, Face, Arm, Speech, Time) increased the likelihood of calling 911 from around 70% to 90% immediately after an educational video. However, the F.A.S.T. acronym demonstrated significantly better performance in helping participants recall key stroke symptoms.

Immediately after the educational video, participants using the F.A.S.T. acronym showed a 70% ability to identify core symptoms, compared to 50% for the BE-FAST group. This difference persisted at the 30-day follow-up, with F.A.S.T. maintaining higher symptom recall rates.

The research challenges the assumption that adding more symptoms to an acronym improves public awareness. Dr. Adeoye noted that while healthcare professionals aim to be comprehensive, the additional letters in BE-FAST actually made it more challenging for people to remember critical stroke warning signs.

The study's findings have significant implications for public health communication strategies. By demonstrating that simplicity can enhance message retention, the research suggests that stroke awareness campaigns might be more effective by focusing on a more concise, memorable acronym.

Currently, the American Stroke Association uses the F.A.S.T. acronym, though some healthcare systems have been transitioning to BE-FAST, believing the additional symptoms would help identify more posterior circulation strokes, which represent approximately 20% of ischemic strokes.

The research underscores the critical importance of clear, memorable public health messaging. As stroke remains a leading cause of serious disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide, effective communication of warning signs can potentially save lives and reduce long-term health impacts.