Forrest General Hospital Helps Educate Community on Stroke Signs, Symptoms

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (May 1, 2024) Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and disability in Mississippi, according to Dr. Keith Jones, a neurohospitalist, and medical director of stroke at Forrest General Hospital. During Stroke Awareness Month, don’t be surprised to see Jones and his therapy dog, Finn, visiting Hub City neighborhoods to educate its residents about “Stroke Smart Mississippi: Stroke Smart Basics.” This program provides information regarding what a stroke is, the results of a stroke and how one’s body can be affected, and other beneficial information.

Did you know:

• A stroke can happen to anyone at any age
• 1 in 6 of us will suffer a stroke in our lifetime
• Someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds
• Someone dies every 4 minutes from stroke
• 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke

At Forrest General Hospital, one of only four Level 2 stroke centers in the state, we want our community to set the pace for stroke prevention.

In fact, an estimated 80 percent of strokes may be prevented through making healthy choices. High blood pressure is the single most important treatable risk factor for stroke. Preventing, diagnosing, and controlling high blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication are critical to reducing stroke risks. There are several changes you can make to reduce your risk for stroke:

• Fuel your body with a healthy, low-sodium diet and lots of fruits and vegetables.

• Decrease the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Be physically active.

Obesity increases the risk of stroke. More than 1 in 3 adults are obese in Mississippi. Physical activity reduces the risk of stroke. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in Mississippi report little to no physical activity during their leisure time.

• Don’t smoke or use drugs. Avoid secondhand smoke and limit alcohol use.
• Prevent or manage your other health conditions especially high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

When it comes to having a stroke, every minute counts. Quick action can help stroke patients get the treatment they need to survive and reduce damage to the brain. If you suspect a stroke, medical professionals at Forrest General’s Primary Stroke Center want you to remember B.E. F.A.S.T and Dial, Don’t Drive. B.E. stands for balance (sudden loss of) and eyes (sudden change in vision or trouble seeing), while F.A.S.T. is for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 911.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. The faster the stroke is treated, the more likely the patient is to recover. In fact, stroke patients who are treated with a clot-busting drug within 90 minutes of their first symptoms were almost three times more likely to recover with little or no disability, according to the American Stroke Association.

Signs of a stroke in men and women include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can take quick action and perhaps save a life – maybe even your own.

For more information, visit forrestgeneral.org/stroke.

Forrest General is home to a Primary Stroke Center, which features a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.