FAST stands for: F — Face drooping (one side droops or is numb when asked to smile), A — Arm weakness (one arm drifts down when both are raised), S — Speech difficulty (slurred, confused, or unable to speak), T — Time to act immediately. Also watch for sudden balance loss (B) and sudden vision changes (E) — the BE-FAST method. If any sign appears, go to a stroke-ready hospital in Bengaluru immediately.

Do not wait for symptoms to improve. Do not give food, water, or medication. Do not let the person sleep it off. Do not attempt home remedies. Do not stop at multiple smaller clinics. Go directly to a stroke-ready hospital. Every minute of delay permanently destroys brain cells that cannot be recovered.

The time of onset determines which treatments are available. Thrombolysis (clot-dissolving injection) is given within 4.5 hours. Mechanical thrombectomy can be performed within 6–24 hours in selected patients. Even a 15-minute difference can change whether a patient qualifies for treatment. Note the exact time symptoms started — or the last time they were seen completely normal — and tell the emergency team immediately.

Go immediately if any FAST sign appears — face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty. Also go for sudden severe headache, sudden vision loss, sudden confusion, or sudden weakness on one side. Even if symptoms resolve within minutes (possible TIA), seek emergency evaluation without delay. The risk of a full stroke is highest in the 48 hours after a TIA.

BE-FAST expands the FAST method by adding B — Balance (sudden loss of balance or coordination) and E — Eyes (sudden vision loss or blurring). These additions help identify strokes in the back of the brain (posterior circulation) which may not cause the classic face, arm, or speech symptoms. BE-FAST detects approximately 14% more strokes than FAST alone.

Call 108 — the free national ambulance service in Karnataka — immediately. You can also call 112 (national emergency number). Tell the operator you suspect a stroke and provide the patient’s symptoms, location, and the time symptoms began. If no ambulance is available, have someone drive directly to a stroke-ready hospital — the patient should not drive themselves.

If a 108 ambulance can reach you quickly, call it — the team can begin assessment en route and alert the hospital so the stroke team is ready on arrival. If an ambulance will take significantly longer, have someone else drive directly to the nearest stroke-ready hospital. The patient must not drive themselves. Do not stop at multiple clinics.

A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), or mini-stroke, causes stroke symptoms that resolve within minutes to a few hours. Even though symptoms disappear, a TIA is a medical emergency — the risk of a full stroke is highest in the 24–48 hours after a TIA. Do not dismiss symptoms that resolve on their own. Seek immediate neurological evaluation. Treatment after a TIA can prevent the major stroke that often follows.

If conscious, help them lie on their side (recovery position) with their head slightly raised and supported. This reduces the risk of choking if they vomit. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck. Keep them calm, still, and warm. Do not give food or water. If unconscious and not breathing, begin CPR and call 108 immediately.

Yes. Download the NeuroWellness Stroke Emergency Guide PDF for free using the button on this page. Save it on your phone and share it on WhatsApp with your family. Having it ready before an emergency means no time is lost searching for information in a crisis. The PDF includes FAST signs, emergency contacts, and what NOT to do.