The following definitions are provided for quick reference. Full context for each appears in the relevant section of the guide.
BE-FAST
An extended version of the FAST stroke-recognition tool that adds Balance and Eyes to Face, Arm, Speech, Time — improving detection of posterior circulation strokes that classic FAST can miss, at the cost of more false positives.
FAST
A validated stroke-recognition mnemonic — Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services — shown to improve diagnostic accuracy when used by ambulance staff.
Posterior Circulation Stroke
A stroke affecting the back of the brain (brainstem, cerebellum, occipital lobes), often presenting with subtler symptoms like dizziness, imbalance, or vision changes rather than the classic face/arm/speech signs.
Unintentional Weight Loss
Weight loss of more than roughly 5% of body weight over 6-12 months without a clear cause such as a deliberate diet or exercise change — a recognised red flag for an underlying medical condition, including cancer.