[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1369-S1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FEBRUARY AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Madam President, I rise today to highlight February as 
American Heart Month, a designation that has stood since 1963 when 
Congress first recognized the need to focus national attention on 
cardiac health. I think it is particularly appropriate since it is 
Valentine's Day.
  The theme of this year's Heart Month is one that resonates deeply 
with me: ``Be Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies.'' This theme is 
especially meaningful because on January 20, the day of the 
Presidential Inauguration, the Voinovich family almost lost one of its 
beloved members to sudden cardiac arrest.
  Indeed, as the country welcomed the arrival of a new administration, 
I, like many of my colleagues, was looking forward to sharing this 
joyous occasion with family and friends. Tragically, our celebration 
was suddenly upended when Patricia Voinovich, my brother Vic's wife, 
was struck by sudden cardiac arrest. As she entered the Ohio Inaugural 
Ball, she crumpled to the ground without a pulse or respiration.
  Sudden cardiac arrest--as the name imples--happens abruptly and 
without warning. It occurs when the heart's pumping chambers suddenly 
stop contracting effectively and as a result, the heart cannot pump 
blood.
  Although it has received much less attention than heart attacks, 
sudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death in the United States.
  This usually fatal event causes brain damage or death within minutes 
if treatment is not received immediately, and is estimated to cause 
more than 220,000 deaths in the United States annually.
  That is more than three lives every 7 minutes--more than 600 deaths a 
day. These deaths are largely attributed to the lack of preparedness 
and immediate accessible medical attention in the short window between 
the heart ceasing to pump and death.
  Just as in most sudden cardiac arrests, with Pat there was no warning 
or indicating that she would be susceptible to such a sudden physical 
trauma. She was in good health. As a matter of fact, she had just been 
to the doctor and had a check up.
  Even after the incident, doctors commented that her heart was 
undamaged and healthy. After she became stabilized, my family and I 
listened to the doctors at the George Washington University Hospital 
who informed us just how lucky Pat, Vic, and the rest of the family had 
been. I was told that when individuals are struck with sudden cardiac 
arrest, only a minuscule number, 5 percent, survive.
  Fortunately, Pat had been blessed to be in a place where there was 
what the American Heart Association calls a strong chain of survival in 
place.
  As a matter of fact, one of the doctors from George Washington 
University Hospital had been assigned to the convention center for the 
specific purpose of responding to an incident such as the one that 
occurred to my sister-in-law.
  It was only 2 or 3 months before the inaugural ball that this 
equipment had been put in place at the convention center in 
anticipation that something like this could happen. I think all 
convention centers throughout the United States should have that 
equipment on board. I think all of us here in the Senate should feel 
very fortunate that because of Dr. Frist, that kind of equipment is 
available to the floor of the Senate and the House and the corridors of 
the Capitol.
  The chain of survival, developed by the American Heart Association, 
is a four-step process to saves lives from cardiovascular emergencies. 
The process includes early access to emergency medical services, early 
CPR, early defibrillation and early access to advanced cardiovascular 
care. Its goal is to minimize the time from the onset of symptoms to 
treatment.
  Although I did not know it at the time, all of these factors were 
present that night at the Ohio Inaugural Ball.

[[Page S1370]]

Indeed, the American Heart Association estimates that if what they call 
a strong chain of survival is in place, the survival rate of sudden 
cardiac arrest would increase to upward of 20 percent, saving as many 
as 40,000 lives per year. Think of that--40,000 lives per year if that 
chain of survival exists.
  As pat lay there on the floor following her collapse, I can only 
thank God that this chain of survival was present and went into effect. 
Secret Service agents and an on-hand emergency physician came to her 
side almost immediately.
  These Good Samaritans began administering CPR, as well as utilizing a 
life-saving machine called an automatic external defibrillator, also 
known as an AED. If it had not been for the grace of the Holy Spirit, 
the rapid response of Secret Service agents and the on-hand emergency 
physician and the presence of an AED, pat almost certainly would not 
have survived.
  The American Heart Association has been a longtime leader in 
educating the country in cardiovascular disease and the need for 
preparing for cardiac emergencies.
  Unfortunately, many Americans do not realize the kind of education 
and training that the Heart Association can provide until after an 
emergency situation occurs. I have certainly become even more aware of 
their services in light of my family's situation.
  Quite simply, being prepared for a cardiac emergency can and does 
save lives. It is my hope, that by focusing on this year's American 
Heart Month theme--``Be Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies''--we can save 
many thousands of lives, not only this year, but in years to come.
  I encourage all Americans to participate in American Heart Month, and 
take the time to educate themselves so that they will be prepared and 
know what do when an emergency strikes.
  For those of you who might be interested in how Pat is doing, she was 
in the hospital for 5 days. They inserted a defibrillator in her chest, 
so if she has another occurrence that defibrillator will respond to it.
  My brother thanked me profusely for inviting him to the inauguration 
because he said Pat had this preexisting condition they did not know 
about, and if it had occurred somewhere else instead of the Convention 
Center, she would no longer be with us.
  So we have a happy ending to what could have been a real tragedy for 
our family which, again, emphasizes that because of some folks out 
there who became involved in the chain of survival, she is now alive 
and well and able to take care of her family.
  Thank you, Madam President.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, are we in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time until 12 noon is under the control of 
the Democratic leader.

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