Forrest General Hospital Helps Educate Community on Stroke Signs, Symptoms

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (May 1, 2025) Do you know what a stroke is or what causes it? You should. Mississippi has the highest stroke death rate in the United States with 52.8 deaths per 100K people and 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 throughout the Hub City 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.

A stroke occurs when part of the brain doesn’t get the blood it needs because the blood supply to the brain is cut off or a blood vessel bursts. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die and death or permanent disability can result.

From information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Stroke Awareness Foundation, did you know:

• On average, more than 1,700 people in Mississippi die from stroke annually
• 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 from 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. Some stroke risk factors, like age, family history, and ethnicity, cannot be changed, but 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. (70% of Mississippians are overweight or obese). Physical activity reduces the risk of stroke. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in Mississippi report little to no physical activity during their leisure time. (44.7% of the state’s residents participate in 150 or more minutes of aerobic physical activity per week).
• Don’t smoke or use drugs. Avoid secondhand smoke and limit alcohol use. (Approximately 23% of Mississippians are smokers.)
• Prevent/manage your other health conditions (high cholesterol, diabetes, 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.corg/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.