Did you know that up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, yet it is expected that nearly 795,000 people in the United States will have a stroke this year?

The majority of those who survive a stroke will need some form of rehabilitation in their recovery process. This May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time to raise public awareness about important stroke facts to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke.

In 1987, National Stroke Association received a presidential proclamation to observe National Stroke Awareness Month in May. This year, Natchez Regional Medical Center is taking a lead from National Stroke Association and striving to educate Americans to stop strokes by reducing their risk through risk factor management, to act F.A.S.T, upon stroke symptom recognition and to spread hope about recovery from stroke.

Natchez Regional Medical Center will host a picnic for stroke survivors and caregivers on Thursday, May 21, at the 5th floor Rehabilitation Program at 11:30-1:00. Please call 601-443-2550 to make reservations prior to Tuesday, May 19.

Did you know?

Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, on average.

Stroke can be caused by a myriad of manageable risk factors including: high blood pressure, weight control, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and TIA.

The public needs to be aware of their stroke risk and have a strong knowledge of stroke symptoms to get the treatment they or their loved ones need to act F.A.S.T.

– F=FACE — Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

– A=ARMS — Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

– S=SPEECH — Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

– T=TIME — If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

Strokes will cost the United States an estimated $68.9 billion in 2009.

Four out of five families will be touched by strokes in 2009.

The stroke incidence rate in blacks is almost double that of whites.

You can receive National Stroke Association’s premiere publication, StrokeSmart magazine for free if you live in the United States. To subscribe visit www.stroke.org/MAG.

DeShaun Jackson is a physical therapist at Natchez Regional Medical Center.