Forrest General Hospital Helps Educate Community on Stroke Signs, Symptoms

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (May 4, 2023) Citing stroke as the fifth leading cause of death in Mississippi, Dr. Keith Jones, a neurohospitalist, and medical director of stroke at Forrest General Hospital, spoke to members of Hattiesburg High School’s Health Science program as part of Stroke Awareness Month. Jones’ “Stroke Smart Mississippi: Stroke Smart Basics” educated students on what a stroke is, the results of a stroke and how one’s body can be affected, and other beneficial information which was followed by a quiz for students.

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

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and disability in the United States. And 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.

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, including stroke. In 2012, 1 in 4 adults in Mississippi reported current smoking.

• 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, remember B.E. F.A.S.T and Dial, Don’t Drive.

Medical professionals at Forrest General’s Primary Stroke Center want you to know that while the F.A.S.T. (Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty, Time to Call 911) acronym once provided a helpful way to determine if a person was having an acute stroke, B.E. (Balance, Eyes) has been added to provide even more assistance in making that determination. Balance refers to a sudden loss of balance or coordination, while the E means a sudden change in vision or trouble seeing.

“Identifying issues with balance or visual loss as possible stroke symptoms increases the number of people who may be eligible to receive acute stroke treatment,” said Micalla Matthews, stroke educator.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 3 out of 5 people are aware of all major stroke symptoms and know to call 9-1-1 when someone is having a stroke, but there’s more work to do. While about 1 in 4 stroke survivors suffer a second stroke, it doesn’t have to be that way. Reduce your risk. Work with your doctor to create a secondary stroke prevention plan and stick with it.

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.com/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.

With a highly-specialized acute rehabilitation center, Forrest General offers a variety of services. For more information about inpatient rehabilitation at Forrest General’s Rehabilitation Center, call 601-288-3800.