Take Motion Now to Forestall Strokes

Strokes are one of many prime 5 causes of demise in Mississippi, and we have now the second highest mortality fee (52.1 per 100,000) within 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 significance of taking significant steps to decrease your danger and lengthen your life.

If you smoke, are chubby or drink in extra, you’re growing your likelihood of getting a stroke. Black women and men are at a considerably larger danger of dying from stroke. If you’re older, or have a household historical past of stroke, your danger can be larger.

Because the indicators of a stroke seem solely when the stroke is occurring, having the ability to spot these indicators – numbness, confusion, blurred imaginative and prescient, slurred speech, lack of stability, and headache – can save your life. You also needs to memorize the FAST acronym to rapidly acknowledge signs:

• Face drooping
• Arm weak spot
• Speech issue, comparable to slurring
• Time to name 911

Regardless of your age, taking these steps will help decrease your danger of coronary heart illness and stroke:

• Quit smoking: Quitting tobacco is one of the best first step in bettering coronary heart well being. Call the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline for assist: (800) QUIT-NOW.
• Move extra: Get a couple of minutes of brisk bodily exercise at any time when you possibly can.
• Eat good: Choose extra greens and fruits than meats and sweets.
• See your physician yearly: This can detect issues early.
• Know your numbers and get them to wholesome ranges. The 4 well being numbers it is best to know are blood stress, ldl cholesterol, blood sugar and physique mass index.

Strokes could be prevented. MSDH presents free blood stress screenings in any respect county well being departments and fireplace stations. For extra data on stroke prevention, go to msdh.ms.gov/stroke. For an inventory of county well being departments, go to msdh.ms.gov/areas, or name 855‑767‑0170 to schedule an appointment.