Key Terms
Concise definitions for terms used throughout this guide
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.