The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus, a comprehensive stroke center, highlights the two factors crucial in stroke care: Where you go, and how fast you get there.
A stroke can happen in an instant, and when it does, every minute matters. Quick and effective treatment can mean the difference between full recovery and lifelong impairment. The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus is proud to be recognized as a Level 1 Comprehensive Stroke Center offering the highest level of care for stroke patients.
Our commitment goes beyond emergency care — offering education, support groups, rehabilitation services, and community outreach to raise awareness and reduce stroke risk.
While anyone can experience a stroke, certain risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of one. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drug abuse, poor diet, and lack of physical activity are risk factors, as are medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Age, genetics, gender, and ethnicity — particularly being over 75 or African American — can also play a role. Identifying and managing these risks with a healthcare provider is key to prevention.
When a stroke occurs, time is of the essence. Immediate evaluation — including neurological exams, lab tests, and brain imaging — help doctors locate the affected area of the brain and begin treatment quickly.
Recognizing the signs of a stroke can save lives. The acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. helps identify symptoms quickly: Balance issues, Eyesight problems, a drooping Face, weakness in the Arms, Speech difficulties, and the urgency of Time — if any of these signs appear, call 911 immediately. Those who receive treatment for a stroke within three hours often recover with fewer lasting problems.
Rehabilitation from a stroke is unpredictable; some patients regain full function within days or weeks, while others face lasting challenges. Treatments may include medication, surgery, lifestyle changes, and intensive rehabilitation.
The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus is the only hospital in El Paso to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and Stroke Specialty Program.
“When recovering from a stroke or serious injury, it is critically important to have an interdisciplinary team with the expertise and knowledge to promote recovery and healing,” said Dr. Jose Porras, internal medicine specialist and medical director for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at the Sierra Campus. “Our goal is to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes and help ensure they return to their everyday life and activities.”
The Stroke Specialty Program assists stroke patients and their loved ones throughout the recovery process and encourages independent living, wellness and support. The program provides ongoing access to information, services and resources to enhance and improve stroke survivors’ quality of life. The Stroke Specialty Program offers stroke prevention education to the community through various community events and hosts a Stroke Support Group for caregivers and survivors.
The Hospitals of Providence invites you to take this Stroke Risk Assessment and begin a journey to a better you.
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