[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 454 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 454

Recognizing that cardiovascular disease continues to be an overwhelming 
    threat to women's health and the importance of providing basic, 
 preventive heart screenings to women wherever they seek primary care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 21, 2014

Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Warren, and Ms. Collins) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing that cardiovascular disease continues to be an overwhelming 
    threat to women's health and the importance of providing basic, 
 preventive heart screenings to women wherever they seek primary care.

Whereas heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United 
        States, causing 1 in 4 female deaths and more female deaths than all 
        forms of cancer combined;
Whereas since 1984, the number of women who have died from heart disease exceeds 
        the number of men who have died from heart disease;
Whereas the rate of cardiovascular death is increasing by 1 percent each year 
        among women ages 35 to 44;
Whereas heart disease claims the lives of nearly 422,000 women each year;
Whereas almost half of African American women have some form of cardiovascular 
        disease, and African American women are more likely to die from heart 
        disease than white women;
Whereas heart disease and stroke account for $312,600,000,000 in health care 
        expenditures and lost productivity annually;
Whereas only 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is the leading 
        cause of death for women, and almost \2/3\ of women who unexpectedly die 
        of heart disease have no previous symptoms of disease;
Whereas many women, especially younger women, may not be aware of their risk for 
        heart disease because they have never gotten a basic, preventive heart 
        screening and have no symptoms;
Whereas studies show that nearly 1 in 5 women rely solely on their obstetrician 
        and gynecologist (``OB/GYN'') for primary care, yet only 35 percent of 
        women recall having even discussed heart disease with their OB/GYN;
Whereas early identification of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high 
        blood pressure, smoking, excessive weight and obesity, high cholesterol, 
        and diabetes allows for more effective intervention and treatment, and 
        can dramatically lower a woman's overall risk of heart disease and heart 
        attack;
Whereas the burden of women's heart disease can be reduced in the United States 
        by encouraging primary care providers to offer women basic, preventative 
        heart disease screenings;
Whereas experts recommend and encourage that a basic, preventive heart screening 
        be a routine part of a woman's visit to a primary care practitioner; and
Whereas once women understand their risk, they still need follow-up information, 
        support, and incentives to maintain cardiovascular health and make the 
        most informed decisions: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes that, despite improved education and 
        awareness, heart disease remains the number 1 killer of women 
        in the United States;
            (2) recognizes the importance of making basic, preventive 
        cardiovascular screening available for women as recommended, so 
        that all women can know the risks they face and what can be 
        done to reduce them;
            (3) recognizes that basic, preventive heart disease 
        screenings are recommended to be a routine part of women's 
        health care; and
            (4) commits to improving the heart health of all women, 
        tearing down the barriers that prevent women from getting 
        screened for heart disease, ensuring women are provided with 
        personalized lifestyle modification recommendations and 
        support, and ensuring every woman has a healthy heart.
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