Stroke
North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo is the second busiest stroke center in Mississippi and offers minimally invasive endovascular procedures.
Call 9-1-1
If you see someone experiencing stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1. Seeking treatment immediately can prevent disability.
Act FAST
At NMMC, stroke victims can benefit from the latest medications and treatments. To be effective, we must act quickly after stroke symptoms first appear.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it starts to die.
If you think you or a loved one are having a stroke, call 911 or go to your local hospital’s Emergency Department. Emergency services are available at North Mississippi Medical Center hospitals in Amory, Eupora, Iuka, Pontotoc, Tupelo and West Point, Mississippi, and Hamilton, Alabama.
The best way to prevent a stroke is to control your risk factors by increasing physical activity, preventing obesity, maintaining a healthy blood pressure and eliminating tobacco smoke exposure.
You can reduce your risk of stroke. Begin by becoming aware of your risk factors and changing the ones you can control.
Recognizing the warning signs of stroke and acting quickly can mean the difference between living with a permanent disability or complete recovery. Use the acronym FAST to spot a stroke:
Face drooping or numb. Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?
Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech difficulty. Is speech slurred?
Time to call 911. Stroke is an emergency. Note the time symptoms first appear.
Other symptoms to watch for include:
Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Severe headache with no known cause
Acute Stroke Unit
North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo's Acute Stroke Unit is a 28-bed unit located on 5 West. The unit provides specialized care to patients who have suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack (sometimes referred to as “mini-stroke”).
Family members may stay with a patient on the Acute Stroke Unit. However, to keep the noise level at a minimum, the number of visitors in the room should be limited to two at a time and no children under age 14 are allowed on the unit. To check on a family member, call the nurses’ station at (662) 377-6509 or (662) 377-6510, or call the patient's room before 9 p.m.
Related Locations
Primary Stroke Center
NMMC-Tupelo is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by DNV Healthcare USA Inc.
Stroke Gold Plus Award
AHA Get with the Guidelines®--Stroke Gold Plus, Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite