SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Crouse Health and the American Heart Association (AHA) are joining forces to raise awareness about the serious cardiovascular risks women face during and after pregnancy. Their goal is to help expectant and new mothers understand their health risks and manage medical conditions that could affect both them and their babies.
“Cardiovascular risk factors can carry from mother to child, no matter how the pregnancy progresses,” said Heather Evans, executive director of the AHA in Central New York. “A healthy pregnancy benefits both mother and baby. That’s why it’s so important to educate and empower women to manage their health at every stage of pregnancy and to build strong, lasting relationships with their doctors.”
Heart disease remains the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. Women who develop pregnancy-related complications face a higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular problems, and their children may also be affected.
In response, Crouse Health and the AHA have distributed new mom kits to Syracuse Community Health Center. These kits will be given to maternity patients and include a variety of items to support maternal and infant health. Each kit contains healthy supplies for both mother and baby, a home blood pressure monitor, and a CPR Anytime® kit to help parents learn lifesaving skills in case of a cardiac emergency. Educational materials are provided in both English and Spanish, along with additional resources from Crouse Health.
The AHA notes that about two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths could be prevented with greater awareness and early intervention. Understanding personal health risks and taking proactive steps can save lives.
Several factors influence a woman’s heart health during pregnancy, including age, race, pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or obesity, and pregnancy-specific issues such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. According to the AHA, Black women, as well as American Indian and Alaska Native women, face a much higher risk of complications and death.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to women’s health and heart care,” said Dr. Seth Kronenberg, president and CEO of Crouse Health and volunteer chairman of the Syracuse Heart Walk. “We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association and Syracuse Community Health Center to improve awareness and support for pregnant women and new moms in our community.”
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