HCA Florida Healthcare urges Northwest Florida residents to know the warning signs of stroke
HCA Florida Healthcare urges Northwest Florida residents to know the warning signs of stroke
In recognition of World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital doctor explains how to B.E. F.A.S.T.
and why immediate emergency care can improve outcomes
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. – In recognition of World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, HCA Florida Healthcare physicians are urging residents to know the warning signs of stroke and call 911 immediately if symptoms appear.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes stroke is the third leading cause of death in Florida. Death rates are highest in North and Central Florida. According to the Florida Department of Health’s FLHealthCHARTS Deaths from Stroke dashboard in 2024, Santa Rosa County recorded the highest age-adjusted stroke death rate of 67.6 per 100,000 residents in the tri-county area, followed by Okaloosa County with 52.8 stroke deaths per 100,000 residents and Walton County with 32.5 per 100,000, compared with the statewide rate of 46.1 per 100,000.
CDC data shows stroke prevalence among adults ages 18 to 44 increased nearly 15% from 2011–2013 to 2020–2022.
“Knowing the warning signs is important for adults of all ages,” said Dr. Polly Dole, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital ER physician. “Every minute without treatment can mean more damage to the brain. That’s why it's so important to recognize the warning signs and call 911 immediately. The sooner someone gets evaluated and receives appropriate treatment, the better their chances of recovery.”
A stroke can happen suddenly, and the warning signs may be easy to overlook. Dr. Dole encourages Northwest Florida residents to remember B.E. F.A.S.T., a tool promoted by the American Stroke Association:
- B - Balance loss
- E - Eye or vision changes
- F - Face drooping
- A - Arm weakness
- S - Speech difficulty
- T – Time to call 911
If you notice even one of these stroke warning signs — even if symptoms start to improve — call 911 immediately. Emergency medical personnel can assess symptoms and help ensure patients are transported to an appropriate facility for stroke care.
At HCA Florida Healthcare, emergency care teams work to quickly recognize and evaluate patients experiencing stroke symptoms and coordinate appropriate next steps, including access to specialized stroke care when needed. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is a certified Primary Stroke Center, with specialized teams and resources to deliver high-quality care to diagnose and treat stroke patients who require intensive medical and surgical care, specialized test or interventional therapies.
As part of HCA Healthcare, patients of HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals benefit from the shared clinical expertise and resources of a national healthcare network whose caregivers treat more than 60,000 stroke patients annually. In 2025, HCA Healthcare achieved a median door-to-needle time of 33 minutes, 45% faster than the American Heart Association’s 60-minute benchmark for administering clot-busting treatment to eligible stroke patients.
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital also offers freestanding emergency rooms at HCA Florida Destin Emergency and HCA Florida Navarre Emergency to provide immediate emergency treatment. HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital also provides emergency care at HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency. For more information about HCA Florida Healthcare’s emergency care services and to find emergency care near you, visit Florida Hospitals and Emergency Rooms | HCA Florida Healthcare.
