Understanding BE FAST

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, Neurologist and Neurophysiologist, Kauvery Hospital Chennai, explains the acronym BE FAST and the significance of sudden arm/leg weakness/paralysis as a tell-tale sign of a stroke.

Origin of BE FAST

FAST is an acronym that has been used for a while now as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to a person's needs having a stroke. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services. With advancing technology, better facilities, and treatment, 2 more alphabets have been added to this acronym, making it BE FAST.



What does BE FAST stand for?

Balance – Is the person able to walk unaided? Are they experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Are they experiencing a sudden blurred or double vision? Is there persistent vision trouble?

Face – When smiling, is one or both sides of the face drooping?

Arms – When both arms are raised, does one side drift downward? Is there weakness or numbness on one side? The A doesn't stand for only arms but encompasses both limbs.

Speech – Is the person slurring or speaking in a garbled way? Are they able to repeat simple words and phrases?

Time – Immediate medical attention is essential if one or more of these signs manifest. Note down, time of symptoms.

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran stresses the importance of taking quick steps if any of these symptoms manifest and get the patient to the hospital immediately.

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STROKE EMERGENCY AND COVID – 19 LOCKDOWN

The world at large is facing a grave situation, the corona virus pandemic. Each of us are following standard protocols such as social distancing, washing hands, to contain the spread of this virus within our households and community. I wish to place on record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to both the central and state governments for their continuous efforts in containing this major issue.

Read Also Difference between the common flu and COVID-19.

We at Kauvery Hospital are taking plenty of steps to help everybody in this critical scenario. Lot of travel restrictions, quarantine measures have been enforced. As a stroke physician and neurology specialist, I want to emphasize that quarantine does not mean we should shy away from hospitals, for acute medical problems like heart attack, stroke. The fear of catching COVID – 19, should not delay in seeking medical help for major medical illness like stroke, heart attack. We had missed lot of opportunities to treat patients, over the last one week, due to this enigma. For stroke, the treatment offered during the initial four and half hours is considered the “Golden hour” since clot busters can disrupt the clot and reverse the symptoms. Remember, all fevers need not be due to COVID – 19. Sometimes, fevers can cause seizures, or brain infections due to various causes. Such patients must certainly seek medical help and get the appropriate treatment. At Kauvery hospital, from the start, at the telephone exchange itself, screening for COVID begins. Patients are questioned on their health status, pertaining to COVID symptoms. At the front door of the Hospital, patients are provided with hand sanitizers, masks, etc. If a patient is found to have fever, they are triaged separately and are entrusted to the care of special team of doctors.

Feel free to come to the hospital and get the right medical attention. Day before yesterday, a patient presented to us in the window period of an acute stroke. So, with thrombolysis, his path to recovery was speeded and he is doing very well. Unfortunately, that patient in the next bed, came late and his recovery will be delayed. We are open for heart emergencies, coronary heart, neurocardiac emergencies. I want to reassure everybody that we at Kauvery Hospital are following safety measures and standard protocols at this critical corona outbreak, to help patients in times of need. So, please make sure you seek the right medical attention at the right time with the right team of doctors.

DR. Sivarajan Thandeeswaran,
Senior Consultant,
Stroke/Neurovascular Medicine
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai