Pasadena Fire Department urges residents to learn BEFAST signs during Stroke Awareness Month

As part of Stroke Awareness Month, Fire Chief Chad Augustine and the Pasadena Fire Department urged community members to learn the signs of stroke and the importance of early medical treatment, the Rose City Report said.

The bulletin outlined the BEFAST acronym as a quick way to remember symptoms: B for balance loss, E for eye or vision changes, F for face drooping, A for arm weakness, S for speech difficulty and T for time to call 911. It said other symptoms may include sudden confusion, severe headache, dizziness or trouble walking and urged immediate action and calling 911.

The announcement encouraged listeners to note the time symptoms began and to keep the person calm until help arrives; it explicitly advised against letting someone drive themselves to the hospital.