Mattress Mack In The Hospital After Stroke Scare

HOUSTON — Houston's iconic and beloved pitchman is in an area hospital after experiencing symptoms of a mini stroke. Gallery Furniture’s Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale, who is well-known in Houston and in Texas for his philanthropy and quirky commercials, posted a Facebook Live video on Tuesday asking for prayer, and reassuring the city he loves, that he’s going to be fine.

"I'm having tingling in my arm, leg, and face, which indicates, perhaps, a mini stroke. I'm down here getting checked out and will be here for the next day," he said in his video. "I feel fine…"

McIngvale, 68, who recently celebrated his birthday, said he checked himself into CHI St. Lukes Hospital at the Texas Medical Center after experiencing tingling on the left side of his body.

McIngvale, who said he lost a friend to a stroke last weekend, said it was the symptoms of FAST that encouraged him to seek help immediately, KPRC reported.

FAST — Face, Arms, Speech, Time — helps everyone identify the symptoms of a stroke, so they can get help quickly.

• FACE: Ask that person to smile. If it droops on one side, get help quick.
• ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• SPEECH: Ask the person to speak, and listen if the speech is slurred.
• TIME: If any of these symptoms are present, call 911.

The pitchman said in his video that he had stroke symptoms in his face and left arm, but his speech was fine.

McIngvale said he hopes to be back at his Gallery Furniture store in north Houston sometime this week.

Click here to learn more about stroke at the symptom.

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