What is the common acronym used for assessing potential stroke patients?

The common acronym used for assessing potential stroke patients is FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. This tool is designed to help both medical professionals and the general public quickly identify the signs of a stroke, which is crucial given that prompt treatment can significantly affect outcomes.

"Face" refers to checking if one side of the face droops when asking the patient to smile. "Arms" involves asking the patient to raise both arms to see if one falls down. "Speech" assesses the ability to speak clearly or repeat a simple phrase. Finally, "Time" emphasizes the urgency of seeking emergency medical attention if any of these signs are present, highlighting that "time is brain" when it comes to stroke treatment.

While other acronyms like STROKE, HEART, and HELP exist and may refer to different medical conditions or scenarios, they do not specifically target the assessment of stroke patients in the same direct and recognizable way that FAST does. This differentiates FAST as the most widely recognized and utilized tool for stroke assessment.