World Stroke Day 2025 feature image with title and subtitle “FAST & BE-FAST Signs + 1-Minute Action Plan” on a blue gradient.
Posted inAwareness Day

World Stroke Day 2025 (Oct 29): FAST & BE-FAST Signs You Must Know

Date: Friday, 29 October 2025
Why it matters: Stroke can hit anyone. Recognising signs and calling emergency services immediately can be life-saving. world-stroke.org

FAST (official) — the quickest memory aid

  • F – Face: One side droops? Uneven smile?
  • A – Arm: Can’t raise both arms? One drifts down?
  • S – Speech: Slurred, confused, or hard to understand?
  • T – Time: Call emergency services now. Don’t wait for more signs. www.stroke.org

BE-FAST (adds two common early clues)

  • B – Balance: Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of coordination
  • E – Eyes: Sudden blurred or lost vision in one/both eyes
    Then FAST as above. If any sign appears, call immediately. CDC+1

One-minute action plan (what to do first)

Minute 0–1:

  • Call 911 (US) / 999 (UK) / 000 (AU) / 111 (NZ) / 911 (CA).
  • Note time symptoms started (or last known well). CDC

Minute 1–2:

  • Keep the person sitting or lying safely; clear hazards.
  • Do not give food, drink, or medication. (Hospital must evaluate first.) CDC

Minute 2–3:

  • If you can, gather medication list / allergies and ID for paramedics.
  • Watch for worsening or new symptoms (e.g., confusion, severe headache). CDC

“Don’t do this” (myths to avoid)

  • Don’t drive them yourself—ambulance is faster for stroke treatment pathways.
  • Don’t wait to see if symptoms “go away.”
  • Don’t give aspirin unless a clinician confirms an ischemic stroke (bleeds can worsen). CDC

Stroke mimics exist—call anyway

Migraine aura, low blood sugar, seizure and inner-ear issues can look similar. Only a hospital scan can tell for sure—and time saves brain. CDC

A4 poster titled “World Stroke Day 2025 — BE-FAST,” listing BE-FAST signs, a 1-minute action plan, and emergency numbers for the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
🧠 Can you spot a stroke? ~90 seconds
1) Which is a FAST sign?
2) BE-FAST adds two letters. What do they stand for?
3) Your friend suddenly has slurred speech and arm weakness. What’s the first step?
4) Which is a “don’t” while you wait for help?
5) “Time of symptom onset” matters because…

Official resources (trusted)

  • World Stroke Organization (WSO): World Stroke Day hub, #ActFAST resources (posters, social kit). world-stroke.org
  • American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA): FAST signs; interactive FAST Experience. www.stroke.org+1
  • NHS (UK): Act FAST guidance and symptoms. nhs.uk
  • CDC (US): Full warning signs list (including balance/eyes, headache). CDC

FAQ

When is World Stroke Day 2025?
29 October 2025. The WSO leads the annual #ActFAST campaign. world-stroke.org

What’s the difference between FAST and BE-FAST?
BE-FAST includes Balance and Eyes symptoms—helpful for spotting posterior strokes—then the classic FAST items. If any are present, call emergency services. CDC+1

Why call an ambulance instead of driving?
Stroke care is time-critical. Paramedics pre-alert stroke teams and route directly to treatment. Self-transport can delay life-saving therapies. CDC