In recognition of World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, HCA Florida Healthcare doctor explains how to B.E. F.A.S.T. and why immediate emergency care can improve outcomes

 OCTOBER 27, 2026 – Sanford, Fla. – In recognition of World Stroke Day this Thursday, 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 Central and North Florida. According to the Florida Department of Health’s FLHealthCHARTS Deaths from Stroke dashboard in 2024, Orange County recorded an age-adjusted stroke death rate of 54.1 per 100,000 residents, Seminole County reported 66.63 per 100,000 residents and Osceola County’s rate was 67.75 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. Gerard Deib, an interventional neuroradiologist at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. “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. Deib encourages Central Florida residents to remember the American Heart Association phrase B.E. F.A.S.T., which stands for:

  • 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 Lake Monroe Hospital and HCA Florida Osceola Hospital are certified as Comprehensive Stroke Centers, with specialized teams and resources to deliver the highest quality of 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 Healthcare offers five hospitals and 17 freestanding emergency rooms in Central Florida to provide immediate emergency treatment. 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.

About HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital

HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, a 221-bed acute care hospital, Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center, serves the communities of Seminole, west Volusia and Lake and Orange counties. The hospital provides the only full-service cardiovascular program in Seminole and west Volusia, including open heart surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and comprehensive diagnostic services. Other specialized services include orthopedic and spine care, robotic surgery, acute inpatient medical rehabilitation and complete imaging services. HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital is located 3.6 miles east of I-4 between S.R. 46 and Highway 17-92 in Sanford. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency care at its main location as well as at HCA Florida Heathrow Emergency located at 4525 International Parkway in Sanford, HCA Florida Mount Dora Emergency located at 16831 US-441 in Eustis,  HCA Florida Casselberry Emergency, located at 2560 S US-Hwy 17-92 in Casselberry, HCA Florida West Volusia Emergency, located at 2490 S Woodland Blvd in DeLand, and HCA Florida Wekiva Emergency, located at 2757 W Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka.

 About HCA Florida Healthcare

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.