Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. In Mississippi, the stakes are even higher. Here’s what every resident needs to know this May.

By Mississippi Healthcare Alliance | Stroke Awareness Month | May 2025

May is National Stroke Awareness Month

The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance is committed to reducing stroke deaths and disabilities across our state by empowering communities with life-saving education, prevention strategies, and access to care.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability, but up to 80% of strokes are preventable. This Stroke Awareness Month, the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance urges every Mississippian to learn the warning signs, understand their risks, and act fast when it matters most.

Stroke in Mississippi: The Facts

Mississippi sits in the heart of the “Stroke Belt, a region of the southeastern United States with significantly higher rates of stroke mortality than the national average. Factors including high rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and limited access to specialty care contribute to this disparity. That’s why awareness and early action are critical for our communities.

• 1 in 6 Americans will have a stroke in their lifetime
• A stroke occurs in the U.S. every 40 seconds
• 80% of strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes
• Mississippi ranks among the highest stroke mortality states in the nation

Recognize a Stroke: Act F.A.S.T.

The most important thing you can do during a stroke is act immediately. Every minute without treatment, roughly 1.9 million brain cells die. Remember the F.A.S.T. acronym:

• F — Face: Is one side of the face drooping? Ask the person to smile.
• A — Arms: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask them to raise both arms.
• S — Speech: Is speech slurred or strange? Ask them to repeat a simple phrase.
• T — Time: Call 911 immediately. Time lost is brain lost.

Other warning signs include sudden severe headache with no known cause, sudden vision trouble in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking or loss of balance, and sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech.

“When a stroke happens, every second counts. Getting to an emergency room fast — ideally within 3 to 4.5 hours — can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability.”

Know Your Risk Factors

Many stroke risk factors are manageable. Talk to your healthcare provider about: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease or AFib, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history of stroke.

African Americans in Mississippi face nearly twice the risk of stroke compared to white Americans and are more likely to die from stroke. Addressing these disparities through equitable access to healthcare is central to the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance’s mission.

Prevention Starts Today

The good news: you have real power to reduce your stroke risk. Start with these evidence-based steps:

Monitor your blood pressure. Hypertension is the single most important controllable risk factor for stroke. Know your numbers and work with your doctor to keep them in a healthy range.

Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium and saturated fats.

Stay physically active with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Quit smoking. Smokers have a 2–4x higher risk of stroke than non-smokers.

Manage chronic conditions like diabetes and atrial fibrillation under medical supervision.

How the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance Can Help

The Mississippi Healthcare Alliance connects patients, providers, and communities across the state to improve health outcomes. This May, we are partnering with hospitals, community health centers, and local organizations to offer stroke education events, and resources for Mississippians to better manage their cardiovascular health.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking continuing education resources, a patient looking for local specialists, or a community member who wants to make a difference — we’re here to help.

Share this article with a loved one, schedule a blood pressure check, and connect with a Mississippi Healthcare Alliance member provider near you. Together, we can lower stroke rates across our state.