FAST (stroke)

Common card · No. 208621

FAST is an acronym used as a mnemonic device to help early recognition and detection of the signs and symptoms of a stroke. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm (or leg) weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call emergency services. F - Facial drooping - A section of the face, usually only on one side, that is drooping and hard to move. This can be recognized by a crooked smile, or difficulty preventing saliva from leaking at a corner of the mouth. A - Arm (or leg) weakness - Inability to raise one's arm fully, or the inability to hold or squeeze something (such as someone's hand), or a new reduction in strength of an arm or leg when raising/supporting an extra weight (such as new difficulty of carrying/lifting a typical object, or raising one's body from squatting/sitting position). S - Speech difficulties - An inability or difficulty to understand or produce speech, slurred speech, or having difficulty repeating even a basic sentence such as "The sky is blue". T - Time - If...

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