What’s Changed?

• Early EMS Activation:
  Emergency responders now alert hospitals before arrival, giving stroke teams time to prep.
• AI-Powered Imaging:
  Advanced CT technology uses artificial intelligence to detect brain blockages and bleeds faster than ever.
• “Code Stroke” Protocol:
  Stroke patients bypass standard triage and go straight to imaging with the full stroke team on standby.
• TeleStroke Access:
  Even smaller Lee Health hospitals are connected to stroke experts via secure video conferencing, ensuring expert care wherever a patient arrives.
• Aggressive New Time Goals:
  The target is to administer tPA—a clot-busting drug—within 30 minutes of arrival, beating national benchmarks by a wide margin.

Why It Matters

Lee County has one of the state’s highest populations of adults over 65, a group at increased risk for stroke. This cutting-edge protocol ensures that Estero residents have swift access to the same level of care as major metropolitan hospitals—even if the stroke happens at home, on the golf course, or while out to dinner.

Know the Signs: FAST

Raising awareness is just as vital as treatment. The acronym F.A.S.T. makes it easier to remember stroke symptoms:

• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Slurred speech
• Time to call 911

FAST vs. BE FAST: What’s the Difference?

The original F.A.S.T. acronym—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911—has long been used to help people recognize the most common signs of stroke. It’s simple, memorable, and effective.

However, stroke experts realized that posterior circulation strokes—which affect the back of the brain and can cause balance and vision problems—were often missed. That is why many health systems have adopted the expanded B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym:

• Balance loss or dizziness
• Eyes: sudden vision changes
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

While both acronyms are effective at prompting emergency calls, recent research suggests that F.A.S.T. may be easier to remember, especially for the general public. Still, B.E. F.A.S.T. offers a more comprehensive tool for identifying a wider range of stroke symptoms, especially those that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The Engage Estero Health Committee encourages Presidents and Managers of HOAs and Gated Communities to post FAST or BEFAST signage in clubhouses, pools, golf courses, and other gathering areas to ensure everyone is informed and ready to act. You can download pdfs from the American Stroke Association or StrokeAwareness.com.

Final Thought

By recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting promptly, we save lives. Let’s stay alert and informed, right here at home.

Disclaimer

Engage Estero provides information as a service to our readers and is not intending to provide individual medical advice. Always consult with medical professionals or emergency services before changing or initiating medical treatment..