Last Friday, we rallied together wearing red to raise awareness about heart disease in women on National Wear Red Day. This Friday is the first Wear Red for MOM Day at Saint Luke's. February is heart month and who better to help educate moms on the importance of heart health than their babies.   

Saint Luke's Maternity teamed up with our own Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center to remind mothers how important it is to take care of their heart health, not just for them but for their babies, too.   

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over the age of 35 but can be prevented with simple everyday things. Our goal is to continue to bring awareness and education to as many women as possible, and today we are doing that in one really adorable way. 

Each baby will receive a specialized red onesie that says "I love my mom" with a white heart on it. The babies will also get a postcard to give their moms with heart-healthy tips to decrease their risk of heart disease by 85%.   

These tips include:  

• Walk 10,000 steps every day.  
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day.  
• Eat one lean protein and at least two colorful fruits and vegetables each meal.   
• Hugs warm your heart and are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate.   
• Laughter releases hormones that are healthy for your heart.   
• Avoid smoking and control blood pressure and cholesterol.   
• Know the signs and symptoms of heart attacks; women can have heart attacks in the absence of plaque buildup in their arteries.  

Saint Luke's has a long-standing history and reputation as a national leader in heart care. The Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center was the first center of its kind in the nation when it opened almost 30 years ago and has served as a model for other women's heart centers across the country. Through collaboration between Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and Saint Luke's Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the Heart Disease in Pregnancy Program provides the knowledge and expertise women with heart conditions need to have a safe delivery.