Take Action Now to Prevent Strokes

Strokes are one of the top five causes of death in Mississippi, and we have the second highest mortality rate (52.1 per 100,000) in the United States, accounting for 1,925 deaths in 2024. During May, National Stroke Awareness Month, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is stressing the importance of taking meaningful steps to lower your risk and prolong your life.

If you smoke, are overweight or drink in excess, you are increasing your chance of having a stroke. Black men and women are at a substantially higher risk of dying from stroke. If you are older, or have a family history of stroke, your risk is also higher.

Because the signs of a stroke appear only when the stroke is happening, being able to spot those signs – numbness, confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of balance, and headache – can save your life. You should also memorize the FAST acronym to quickly recognize symptoms:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty, such as slurring
• Time to call 911

Regardless of your age, taking these steps can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke:

• Quit smoking: Quitting tobacco is the best first step in improving heart health. Call the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline for help: (800) QUIT-NOW.
• Move more: Get a few minutes of brisk physical activity whenever you can.
• Eat smart: Choose more vegetables and fruits than meats and sweets.
• See your doctor yearly: This can detect problems early.
• Know your numbers and get them to healthy levels. The four health numbers you should know are blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index.

Strokes can be prevented. MSDH offers free blood pressure screenings at all county health departments and fire stations. For more information on stroke prevention, visit msdh.ms.gov/stroke. For a list of county health departments, visit msdh.ms.gov/locations, or call 855-767-0170 to schedule an appointment.