El Paso Health Brief: Windy Skies, Heart Checks, and ECMO Progress
El Paso, TX – February 19, 2026 – Winds and dust raise allergy risks, UMC highlights ECMO life support progress, and heart screening reminders.
El Paso’s health picture this week is being shaped by two things residents feel right away: rough air outdoors and the ongoing push to expand access to high-acuity care.
Air and allergy watch
Local forecasts called for very strong winds and blowing dust across the Borderland, conditions that can aggravate seasonal allergies and irritate the lungs. Clinicians interviewed locally warned that wind can spread pollen, dust and other particles farther and keep them suspended longer, which may worsen sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, cough and shortness of breath.
If you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, are pregnant, or care for young kids or older adults, consider limiting strenuous outdoor activity during peak gusts. Simple steps that help: keep windows closed, run a HEPA filter if you have one, use saline rinses after outdoor exposure, and wear a well-fitting mask and wraparound eye protection when you must be outside.
Critical care close to home
University Medical Center of El Paso highlighted progress in its ECMO program, an advanced life-support option used when the heart or lungs can no longer do their job. UMC says it is the only hospital in the region offering ECMO, and reported the program cared for more patients than originally projected in its first year. The hospital also shared a recent recovery story involving a young patient treated after carbon monoxide poisoning.
Prevention and easier access
UMC also used American Heart Month momentum to remind residents about routine heart checks that can catch problems early, even when you feel fine. The list includes blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, an EKG when appropriate, and tracking weight/BMI trends.
On the practical side, UMC promoted its MyHealthEP portal for viewing lab and imaging results, managing appointments and keeping medication and allergy lists in one place. If you are new to the portal, consider setting it up before your next visit so you are not scrambling when results post.
Community movement, safely
Organizers also announced a new downtown route for the 2026 El Paso Marathon. If you plan to train outside, watch for blowing dust, hydrate well, and adjust workouts to indoor options on the windiest afternoons.
Sources
https://kvia.com/news/2026/02/17/strong-50-mph-winds-expected-in-el-paso-doctors-warn-of-allergy-flare-ups/
https://kvia.com/weather/2026/02/18/abc-7-first-alert-another-gusty-dusty-day-expect-wind-gust-of-55-mph/
https://umccares.org/umc-el-paso-ecmo-program/
https://umccares.org/5-heart-screenings-you-shouldnt-skip-even-if-you-feel-fine/
https://umccares.org/myhealthep-patient-portal-umc-el-paso/
https://kvia.com/news/2026/02/18/new-downtown-route-for-2026-el-paso-marathon/
