To determine if you or a loved one is experiencing signs of a stroke — Use the BE FAST Method:

B – Balance

• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

E – Eyes

• Sudden blurred, double, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.

F – Face Drooping

• One side of the face droops or feels numb.
• Ask the person to smile – is the smile uneven?

A – Arm Weakness

• One arm is weak, numb, or drifts downward when raised.

S – Speech Difficulty

• Slurred or strange speech, or inability to speak at all.
• Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like:
  “The sky is blue.” – Can they say it clearly?

T – Time to Call Emergency Services

• If any of these signs are present, call emergency help (e.g., 911) immediately.

What to Do if You Suspect You’re Having a Stroke:

1. Call emergency services immediately.
   Do not try to drive yourself or wait it out. Tell the dispatcher you suspect a stroke.
2. Note the time symptoms started.
   This helps doctors decide on treatments like clot-busting drugs (which are time-sensitive).
3. Stay calm and still.
   Lie down with your head slightly elevated. Don’t eat, drink, or take any medications unless instructed by paramedics.
4. Don’t delay.
   Even if symptoms go away (like in a TIA or “mini-stroke”), you still need emergency care.
5. Unlock your door (if you’re alone) to let emergency responders in.

Why Acting Fast Matters:

• Treatments like clot-busting drugs are only effective within the first 3 to 4.5 hours after symptom onset.
• The quicker you get help, the better your chances of recovery and avoiding permanent damage.
• Visit this link to see the list of Level 1,2 and 3 Stroke Hospitals in Mississippi.

About the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance

Our mission is to help hospitals, EMS agencies and communities. We have helped them by creating the STEMI System of Care (SOC), Stroke SOC, Cardiac Arrest Collaborative, and most recently, the Sepsis Collaborative, to provide standard care guidelines to reduce mortality, morbidity, and financial strains.

MHCA provides funding for numerous activities to reduce mortality, morbidity, and the financial burden in the State of Mississippi due to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and sepsis.