Little hats, big hearts kick off heart month
February newborns to get handmade red caps while parents get infant CPR kits
(SAN ANTONIO, TX – February 1, 2016) The best way to have a healthy heart is to keep it healthy from the start. February is American Heart Month, so with this in mind, the American Heart Association is partnering with University Health System to provide parents of babies born in February an Infant CPR Anytime kit.
The babies themselves will receive individual bright red caps, handmade with love by volunteers who want to raise awareness for heart health at every age.
“We see infants come into the hospital who may be having trouble breathing or whose hearts may have stopped, and their parents don’t know what to do,” said Mandie Svatek, M.D., a pediatrician at University Hospital and assistant professor at the UT Health Science Center. “It’s a terrifying experience for a parent. This kit and training will give them some peace of mind.”
Each kit contains a DVD, a Mini Baby CPR personal mannequin, a skills reminder card and other helpful materials.
Kristen Plastino, M.D., a University Health System OB-GYN, heart disease survivor and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UT Health Science Center, is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association San Antonio Division and works to raise awareness of the importance of heart health.
With University Hospital’s participation in the American Heart Association’s Little Hats Big Hearts program, we are providing much needed education in the community,” Dr. Plastino said.
