FAST is an acronym for quickly remembering the symptoms of a stroke. It is more frequently used in Australia, than in the United States, but a 2007 episode of the medical drama House featured the concept. It’s an excellent acronym to remember because early treatment of stroke is essential to reducing brain damage and mortality associated with stroke.

FAST is a fairly loose acronym, and the letters only correlate to a few symptoms of stroke. These are facial paralysis, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. The “T” in FAST is often translated as “time to act fast.” Others interpret the “T” as “test all symptoms.” The first interpretation is used by the Stroke Foundation of Australia, and for most laypeople, it’s probably best to remember the first definition. It is definitely essential to act quickly by contacting emergency services if a stroke is suspected.

Each letter in the FAST acronym deserves a little further explanation. “F” in FAST is facial paralysis, a common symptom of stroke. Asking the person to smile can easily test this. If they cannot smile, or the mouth appears to droop on one side, this indicates possible stroke. People experiencing a stroke may also have difficulty swallowing.

The “A" in FAST stands for arm weakness. One arm or leg may be paralyzed or more difficult to move. You can quickly test this by asking a person with suspected stroke to raise both arms. If the person can only raise one arm, or the arms cannot be raised to the same level, stroke is a possible cause.

“S” in FAST is for speech difficulties. People who have just suffered a stroke may have slurred or incomprehensible speech. A massive stroke can translate quickly to inability to speak. Asking a person a few questions can normally determine whether speech is impaired.

Time to act FAST related to the “T,” means it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Test all symptoms means it’s helpful to be able to tell emergency workers if you suspect stroke. FAST exams should be performed after 911 is called. Alternately, if two people are with the person having the stroke, have one call emergency services while the other performs the FAST exam.

Additional symptoms of stroke are quite common and are not covered by the FAST acronym. These include dizziness or loss of balance and severe, sudden headache. It’s also important to realize that not all strokes will exhibit all symptoms. Presence of even one of these symptoms may indicate stroke, but also may indicate totally unrelated conditions. The goal of FAST is to check for common symptoms, so a person can report possible indicators of stroke to medical workers as quickly as possible.