B.E.F.A.S.T: Ischemic Stroke Warning Signs Everyone Should Know

March is Blood Clot Awareness Month across the country, a condition that kills around 100,000 people every year, while affecting nearly a million others. Blood clots are the cause of ischemic strokes when they block blood vessels in your brain. 

Strokes are potentially fatal medical emergencies. The sooner you’re treated, the better your chances of survival and recovery. That makes recognizing the signs of stroke important for everyone. 

To raise awareness of blood clots, our team at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, wants to review the B.E.F.A.S.T. mnemonic — an update on the older F.A.S.T. mnemonic.

This new mnemonic is designed to reduce the number of missed strokes by up to 10%. Here’s what’s important to know. 

The signs and symptoms of strokes

There is a wide range of symptoms of a stroke. The ones you experience or witness depend on which part of the brain a blood clot affects. A partial list of common stroke symptoms includes: 

• Aphasia (trouble with or loss of speech)
• Blurred or double vision
• Confusion
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Dysarthria (slurred speech)
• Loss of muscle control on one side of the face
• Sudden personality changes
• Memory loss
• Sudden or severe headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Loss of consciousness

Any changes in the primary senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, or touch) could be stroke-related. 

Risk factors for blood clots and strokes

You have an increased risk of a stroke if you have one or more of these risk factors: 

• Over 65
• Tobacco use, including smoking or vaping
• Alcohol use disorder
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Unsupervised use of some nonprescription medications
• Recreational drug use

Keep in mind that it’s possible to experience a stroke even if you have none of these risk factors. 

The B.E.F.A.S.T. mnemonic

Recognizing a stroke is possible by remembering six of the most common symptoms of an ischemic stroke. 

• Balance: a sudden onset of loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes: a sudden onset of blurred, double, or loss of vision, one or both eyes
• Face: the muscles on one side of the face begin to droop
• Arms: one arm may become weak or partially out of control
• Speech: slurred, unintelligible, or no speech possible
• Time for help: call 911 or transport the patient to a hospital immediately

Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are temporary events that may indicate a person is at high risk of a severe stroke. The B.E.F.A.S.T. mnemonic also works for TIAs, including the need for emergency medical attention. 

Contact Coast Neurosurgical Associates when you need care for any brain or spine condition. Book an appointment online or call our office directly at 562-418-6639 today.