Mega Doctor News
Despite significant advances in prevention and treatment, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for nearly three in 10 deaths nationwide and claiming more than 940,000 lives each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While diagnosis rates remain highest among adults 65 and older, cardiovascular disease is increasingly affecting younger populations, with nearly one in six cardiovascular-related deaths occurring in adults under age 65.
Often caused by atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries that restricts blood flow and can lead to blood clots—cardiovascular disease increases an individual’s risk of stroke by two to four times compared to the general population.
In the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System (STHS) Heart has been a pioneer in cardiovascular care for more than 30 years, delivering advanced, life-saving treatment to patients across the region.
As the first dedicated heart hospital in Texas, STHS Heart has earned the American Heart Association’s Get WithThe Guidelines®–Stroke Silver Plus Award, a prestigious recognition that highlights the hospital’s commitment to delivering evidence-based stroke care and improving patient outcomes.
The recognition reflects the hospital’s dedication to ensuring stroke patients receive timely, guideline-directed treatment based on the latest clinical research, helping save lives, reducing disability and improving recovery outcomes. It also underscores STHS Heart’s ongoing commitment to quality improvement and excellence in cardiovascular and stroke care throughout the communities it serves.
“This recognition reflects our team’s dedication to providing exceptional stroke care when every second counts,” said Brenda Ivory, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Heart. “Just as important, our multidisciplinary approach allows us to identify and address the underlying health conditions that may have contributed to a patient’s stroke, helping improve outcomes, support recovery and reduce the risk of future events. Our goal is not only to save lives, but to help our patients achieve better long-term health.”
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or a ruptured blood vessel, resulting in damage to brain tissue. Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical to improving survival rates, reducing the risk of long-term disability and supporting recovery.
The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program is designed to help hospitals deliver consistent, evidence-based stroke care by promoting adherence to the latest clinical guidelines. By aligning treatment protocols with the most current research, participating hospitals can improve patient outcomes, reduce complications and help prevent stroke-related deaths.
Hospitals earn Get With The Guidelines recognition by demonstrating a sustained commitment to providing high-quality stroke care and meeting rigorous performance measures. In addition to following guideline-directed treatment standards, participating facilities must educate patients on managing their health after discharge, helping them reduce risk factors, support recovery and lower the likelihood of future strokes
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize STHS Heart for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
STHS Heart’s achievement extends beyond stroke care excellence. The hospital also earned the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll designation, highlighting its commitment to providing specialized, evidence-based care for stroke patients living with Type 2 diabetes.
Together, the honors reflect STHS Heart’s dedication to delivering guideline-directed care, maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence and helping patients achieve better health outcomes both during hospitalization and throughout their recovery journey.
A Texas Department of State Health Services-designated Primary Stroke Center, STHS Heart is part of the STHS Neurosciences & Stroke Institute, the largest integrated network of stroke care in the Rio Grande Valley.
The institute brings together a comprehensive continuum of stroke services, including the Comprehensive Stroke Center at STHS McAllen, the Primary Stroke Center at STHS Edinburg, STHS Heart’s Level III Stroke Facility and six Acute Stroke Ready Hospital-certified freestanding emergency departments strategically located across the region.
Together, these facilities provide residents with timely access to specialized stroke care, from emergency treatment and advanced interventions to recovery and rehabilitation services.
For more information about the institute and the services provided across its facilities, visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
Information source: STHS
