Coverdell Stroke Program: BE FAST

These BE FAST Bella materials can help with recognizing the signs of stroke. The Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Program encourages hospitals, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers, and other patient care areas to promote BE FAST Bella. All items are available for downloading and printing, and you are welcome to add your organization’s logo prior to use.

The following graphics featuring BE FAST Bella are formatted to fit social media posts. Attach these images to your social media messages to promote stroke awareness in a visual way. Open the link to the pdf files for the coloring book and bookmark for the full-sized version. You can also right click on the Bella poster to "save" the image file, or "copy image" to paste the image directly on your social media pages.

Right click on the images below and click "save" to download the image to use on your social media pages.

BE FAST Bella Social Media Messages

Below you will find suggested posts and tweets.

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of a #stroke. #BEFAST
• If you or someone you know exhibits signs of a #stroke quick treatment is critical. Call 911 Time is brain! Go to dhs.wisconsin.gov/coverdell #Coverdell #BEFAST
• Bella is having a #stroke. Can you #BEFAST and spot the symptoms? #Coverdell
• Bella is suddenly unable to maintain her balance. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella has a sudden change with her eyes – her vision is blurry. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella tries to smile, but suddenly one side of her face droops. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella’s arm suddenly feels numb and weak. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella’s speech is suddenly slurred and hard to understand. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella suddenly has a terrible headache. Know the signs of a #stroke so you can help Bella! #BEFAST #Coverdell
• Bella is showing signs of a stroke. It’s time to call 911. Every second counts! #BEFAST #Coverdell

With all Bella messages, we encourage use of a BE FAST Bella graphic. All graphics describe the signs of stroke and have the message to call 911.

For more general stroke information, go to the home page for the Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Program.

General Stroke Social Media Messages

• Remember to add hashtags and social media handles where appropriate.
• Did you know? #Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. @CDCgov
• Did you know? Someone in the U.S. has a #stroke every 40 seconds. Learn more stroke facts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
• More than 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer a #stroke every year. Learn more stroke facts.
• Risk for #stroke increases as you get older, but they can occur at any age. Learn more.
• 7 out of 10 strokes occur in people over the age of 65. The risk of having a #stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. Learn more at the Wisconsin Coverdell website.
• #Stroke patients who are transported to the emergency room by EMS receive more timely care. Learn more at the Wisconsin Coverdell website.
• #Stroke is the third leading cause of death for women. Learn what puts women more at risk.
• African-American women are more likely to suffer a #stroke compared to any other group of women in the U.S.
• #Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Hispanics in the U.S.
• Check out this interactive map from @CDCgov to see how #stroke statistics vary in your state.
• A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is also known as a “mini-stroke”, and often leads to a full #stroke if left untreated. Hear from Blanche Teal-Cruise about her TIA experience.

Stroke Prevention Social Media Messages

• Do you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Managing these conditions can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Talk with your primary care provider! @CDCgov @MillionHeartsUS
• Managing medical conditions like obesity and diabetes can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Talk with your primary care provider!; @CDCgov @AmDiabetesAssn @JDRF
• Avoiding smoking and second hand smoke can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Talk with your primary care provider! @CDCgov
• A healthy diet can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Limit your sugar and salt intake, and make sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. @CDCgov
• Increasing your physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your risk for #stroke. @CDCgov.
• Learn tips for physical activity and healthy nutrition habits from @AmDiabetesAssn to help reduce your risk of #stroke.
• Increasing your physical activity can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Learn healthy tips and tricks from @CDCgov,
• Maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce your risk for #stroke. Learn healthy tips and tricks from @CDCgov,
• Learn the ABCS of #stroke prevention and lower your risk: take Aspirin, control your Blood pressure and Cholesterol, and quit or don’t start Smoking. Learn more at Million Hearts®

Coverdell Success Stories

The Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Program highlights stroke care success stories throughout the state.

National EMS Week Posts

• A timely arrival to an emergency department is crucial to having a better #stroke outcome. EMS personnel provide that quick transport and emergency medical care #NationalEMSWeek
• EMS providers are ideally the first contact a stroke patient has with medical professionals. They have the potential to have a huge positive impact on long-term patient outcomes. Thank your favorite EMS provider during #NationalEMSWeek!

Drop-In Announcement for Newsletters

Share this text in your e-newsletter, blog, or other publications to raise awareness about stroke in your community.

• Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States—but it doesn’t have to be. Stroke is preventable and treatable. October 29th is World Stroke Day or use May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Visit the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program website to learn more about improving stroke care in communities nationwide.

Hashtags and Social Media Handles

Sample social media messages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & other social media venues)
Hashtags and twitter handles to use:

• #Stroke
• #WorldStrokeDay
• #StrokeAwarenessMonth
• #Coverdell
• #BEFAST
• #CoverdellSuccessStory
• #YourSpecificOrganization
• #YourSpecificEMSAgency
• #NationalEMSWeek
• @CDCgov
• @DHSWI
• @WorldStrokeOrg
• @WStrokeCampaign

Check with the Centers of Disease Control, World Stroke Association and American Heart/American Stroke Association via their websites. Many times they have campaigns each year to share and create awareness of stroke. These campaigns come with a variety of hashtags, social media handles, banners and images for public use.

Drop-In E-Signature and Social Media Image Instructions

• Use any of the images to raise awareness about stroke in your community by adding one of these badges to your email signature, Facebook, Twitter or other social media accounts.

Use any of these resources to promote stroke awareness in your own way:

• World Stroke Organization
• CDC - Stroke
• CDC - Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
• CDC - Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
• Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program
• Million Hearts
• Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Program: Publications and Materials
• Wisconsin Chronic Disease Prevention Program
• NAEMT - EMS Week
• American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Initiative AHA/ASA
• Video: What Happens in the Ambulance During a Stroke?
• Video: A Stroke Can Happen at Any Age