Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center

We recently gathered at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to formally celebrate Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center’s 30th anniversary of prioritizing women’s heart health.

During the celebration, the Saint Luke's Foundation announced the establishment of Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Institute for Women’s Cardiovascular Research, the first of its kind in the world, made possible by a donation of $10 million from the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation. The Center will be dedicated to studying the unique aspects of heart conditions in women and narrowing the sex-specific research gaps.

The Institute's goal is to narrow sex-specific research gaps, both in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It will build upon the Women’s Heart Center’s work with an expanded team of dedicated clinician-investigators and initiatives to improve women’s heart care nationally and around the globe.

Thank you to Julia I. Dennie-Kauffman, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, our cardiovascular team, and all of our supporters for this outstanding milestone!

See more from FOX4 News Kansas City: https://heyor.ca/XfVKLa

After Shelle gave birth to her first child nearly 40 years ago, she was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets) and spent days recovering in the ICU.

Dr. Tracy Stevens says Shelle's case of HELLP contributed to her developing high blood pressure later in life. Today, Shelle manages her blood pressure with support from experts like Dr. Stevens.

Shelle and Dr. Stevens talk with KSHB 41 about why it's important to always monitor your health: https://bit.ly/3SjFwDp

KSHB: Rare Life-Threatening Pregnancy Condition Can Have Serious Health Implications Later in Life HELLP Syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication and women are often completely unaware that it can put them at an increased risk many years later.

Missouri Representative Emily Weber (District 24) visited Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center to commend us on 30 years of prioritizing and advocating for women’s heart health. Rep. Weber, who represents Jackson County, presented the team with a State Resolution commemorating this milestone.

We are dedicated to defining novel research that addresses women’s cardiovascular conditions—that often have more questions than research-supported answers and guidelines—that extend across a woman’s lifespan.

Thank you, Rep. Weber!

This year, Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center celebrates 30 years of prioritizing the hearts of women.

Founded in 1994, the Women's Heart Center is the first of its kind in the U.S. to actively address the unique aspects and challenges related to women's heart health. The Center's team is nationally recognized as a leader in advocacy for women's cardiovascular health and disease with their incredible calls to action, innovative initiatives, and transformational research program.

Saint Luke's is committed to providing leadership, innovation, and quality health care while embracing groundbreaking concepts and technology—women's heart health is no exception. Cheers to 30 years! ❤️

For those looking to buy their special someone a last-minute Valentine's Day gift "off the cuff," Dr. Tracy Stevens has an idea for you.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most neglected condition in America because most who have it, don't know it—earning it the nickname "the silent killer." The only way to know it is to check it. Dr. Stevens' dream is for every home to have an automatic upper-arm blood pressure cuff.

Look for them online or in the pharmacy section of most stores. ❤️

When it's Chiefs victory Monday, Heart Month, and Valentine's week all at once, we see red everywhere. Here's to championships, love, and heart health! ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is the number one cause of heart attack in women under 50—women like Isabel, who had two SCAD events postpartum despite having no risk factors.

Isabel and Dr. Anna Grodzinsky, a cardiologist, sat down with KCTV5 News Kansas City to explain some of the symptoms of SCAD and share an important message for other women. Watch now: https://bit.ly/3w4wMsx ❤️

KCTV: Mother and Two-Time SCAD Survivor Shares Story to Stress Importance of Heart Health Awareness Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is the number one cause of heart attack for women under 50. A wife and mother of two, Isabel, shares her journey of surviving not one but two SCAD events post-partum.

We know two good reasons to wear red this Friday—one for our favorite football team, and the other for heart health. ❤️

National is the first Friday in February and is dedicated to wearing the color of love to raise awareness of heart disease, the leading cause of death in women. Join us in showing your support for the hearts of women everywhere.

The FAME garden's first harvest of the year is here! 🥕 🥔 🥒

Grace, our nutritional coordinator, is growing vegetables for our Food As Medicine Everyday (FAME) education series. The series is a 10-week virtual course that focuses on helping individuals improve their health through diet and lifestyle changes.

The next FAME series begins on August 22. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3C3pq8j

Dr. Tracy Stevens and her family sported their KC Current merch on the slopes of Beaver Creek! They got lots of fist pumps from fans.

Thanks to so many of you who helped me celebrate my 52nd birthday last week. I had quite a birthday, and it’s taken me a few days to let it all sink in. Some of you may know that over the last two years, I've been dealing with heart issues without a diagnosis. (The irony of the CEO of WomenHeart dealing with undiagnosed heart disease has not escaped me.) On my birthday, I gave myself a big birthday gift - I took a significant step towards understanding my health by undergoing a Coronary Flow Reserve test at the Cath Lab of MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

As a result of this test, I have now been diagnosed with endothelial dysfunction with coronary artery vasospasm. This condition involves the impaired functioning of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. This impairment causes the sudden and unpredictable constriction of my coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain or potentially even a heart attack.

Many friends and colleagues have asked me why I chose to spend my special day in the Cath Lab at 6:30am. Well, the reason is simple - IF there was a chance to get some answers about my heart health, I could not think of a better present, and indeed that’s exactly what I got!

I am immensely grateful to Dr. Estelle Jean - a champion for women with heart disease herself - for believing me and being my partner in my new heart journey and Dr. Hayder Hashim and his fantastic team for their first-rate care and uplifting spirits.

As I continue on my journey to better health, I can now say from my own experience - take charge of your own health and well-being. Ask questions and seek answers about any concerns you may have. Trust your gut (and your heart!). It was definitely one of my most memorable birthdays. As Dr. Hashim said, “Happy birthday! You’re not crazy!”.

Dr. Tracy Stevens is her name, and blood pressure education is her game. 🩺

As a cardiologist and medical director of Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center, Dr. Stevens' dream is for every home in America to have a blood pressure cuff. High blood pressure is the most neglected condition in America because most who have it, don't know it. Checking your blood pressure on a regular basis is the only way to know for sure.

Dr. Stevens recommends every family purchase an automatic upper-arm blood pressure monitor, which can be found online or in the pharmacy aisle of most stores. She says the goal is to have a blood pressure of 130/80 or less.

Minimize your risk of heart disease with a wellness package from the Women's Heart Center—no insurance necessary. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HEcEPW ❤️

The inaugural Red Dress Award was awarded to Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center in 2004 for our work as a pioneer in women's heart health.

The Woman's Day Magazine Red Dress Award recognizes those who have made significant strides in women’s heart health awareness. Our Women’s Heart Center has been invited to New York City every year to celebrate as the first center of its kind in the U.S. with new Red Dress Award recipients.

Since receiving the first award, Saint Luke's has joined a renowned list of Red Dress winners, including Barbara Walters, Hoda Kotb, Star Jones, and Kansas City's own Julia Kauffman.

Today is a whole new kind of Red Friday! 💓

The first Friday in February is national to raise awareness of heart disease—the leading cause of death in women.

Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center is one of the first centers in the nation to provide cardiac risk assessment and research specifically for women. Medical Director Dr. Tracy Stevens and the Women's Heart Center team wear red brighter than anyone!

Many heart diseases in women can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HJAjzG

A red dress is the national symbol of women and heart disease awareness. It inspires and reminds women across the country to adDRESS their heart health concerns.

These red dresses are displayed throughout Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and the Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center to support this movement during .

Join us tomorrow, Feb. 3, by going red for national .

Red dresses are being pressed and steamed in preparation for heart month, and the ladies are patiently waiting at the door to go on display.

The red dress is a symbol of heart disease awareness in women. Look for them throughout Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute beginning Jan. 30, and be sure to wear red this national on Friday, Feb. 3.

Calling all knitters!

We are asking members of the community to create red scarves to be distributed at Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital this February for Heart Month. Completed scarves can be delivered to the hospital in person or shipped.

Full details: https://bit.ly/3ULtamu

Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital Call for Red Scarves in Support of Women’s Heart Health In preparation for National Heart Month, February 2023, Hedrick Medical Center, in collaboration with Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center, is asking members of the community to help create red scarves.

Families all across the country are dealing with the ripple effects of inflation.

KSHB 41 talked to Grace Hoffman, nutritional coordinator with Saint Luke's Food As Medicine Everyday (FAME) program, about how to reduce food costs while staying healthy: https://bit.ly/3rckRTP

For over 20 years, Dr. Tracy Stevens visited local schools to show actual human organs that were donated for educational programs to teach about health issues.

The students got to see hearts, lungs, brains, kidneys, livers, and more. They even got to hold them while wearing a mask and gloves. Some of the organs were impacted by smoking or drug use and provided meaningful examples of why they should take good care of their health.

Carolyn Moody, 79, has had heart issues for decades and has been a long-time patient of Dr. Tracy Stevens. In her lifetime, she has had three heart attacks, a stroke that caused paralysis in her left leg and arm, acute kidney failure due to medications, two pacemakers, and ongoing medication needs for high blood pressure.

"Women need to understand that if it's something that you've never had before, you need to look into it and speak up," she says. "Women have different heart attack symptoms than men; left arm pain, jaw pain, around your chest, under your breast, and in your back."

Carolyn calls Dr. Stevens and her care team at Saint Luke's her "blue angels" because they are "amazing." She advocates to raise awareness for women to listen to their bodies, speak up when something doesn't feel right, and champion their health.

"We have to watch out for each other and stop ignoring what's wrong with our bodies," says Carolyn.

As we near the end of , our incredible team at Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center reminds you to be sure to check your blood pressure! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3ja4Mcs

Saint Luke's Maternity teamed up with us to remind mothers how important it is to take care of their heart health — not just for them, but for their babies, too! ❤️

Watch the adorable KMBC 9 story here: https://bit.ly/3Lp4oEG

Today was a different kind of red Friday at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute. Team members were invited to wear red outfits or accessories for national to raise awareness for the number one health threat for women — heart disease. Comment with a photo of your red attire!

If you happen to be at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute today, you may notice a whole lot of red!

is celebrated nationwide on the first Friday of February to raise awareness for heart disease in women. The red dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease and a reminder to take control of your heart health.

Causes of heart disease include:

— Family history
— Diabetes
— High blood pressure
— Smoking
— Obesity
— Complications during pregnancy
— Menopause

Many of these can be helped with simple lifestyle changes or talking to your physician.

Put on your favorite red outfit, take a selfie, and share it with us in the comments below!

Saint Luke's team members will be wearing red this Friday for a whole new reason.

Tomorrow, February 4, is National ! Everyone is encouraged to wear red clothing or accessories to raise awareness for heart disease in women. Will you join the trend with us?