[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF FEBRUARY AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize February as the 
American Heart Association Month to demonstrate the seriousness of 
cardiovascular diseases, including heart and stroke.
  Founded by six doctors in 1924, the American Heart Association is a 
national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability 
and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. This organization 
serves as a key resource of information for heart patients, advocates, 
and survivors. Heart disease and stroke are two of the nation's top 
three leading causes of death, claiming the lives of more than 960,000 
Americans each year.
  The American Heart Association has titled this year's theme ``Be 
Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies. Know the signs of cardiac arrest. 
Call 9-1-1 immediately. Give CPR.'' Promoting the importance of knowing 
signs and symptoms of a cardiac emergency can literally be the 
difference between life and death. Every minute that passes without 
defibrillation and CPR, the chance of survival for a cardiac arrest 
victim decreases by 7 to 10 percent. According to the Archives of 
Internal Medicine, most heart attack patients wait more than two hours 
before seeking emergency care, initially because they do not recognize 
the symptoms of a heart attack. In my home state of Texas, heart 
disease is the leading killer, as well as nationally among women, with 
more than 370,000 deaths a year.
  In observance of this special month, we acknowledge the researchers, 
physicians, health care professionals, public education professionals, 
and volunteers for their commitment to prevention, awareness, research, 
and treatment of this disease. Thanks to these workers and their 
unwavering resolve, the American Heart Association has established a 
chain of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The four links 
in the chain of survival involve, early access to phones and emergency 
exits, early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced life support. 
These important tools are critical in saving a person's life when they 
cardiac arrest.
  No one understands that better than Joel Ruby, of West University in 
my district, who suffered his first heart attack in his early forties. 
He has since undergone several angioplasty surgeries and continues to 
battle congestive heart failure. Although he continues his ongoing 
battle with heart disease, Joel has also become an active board member 
of the Houston Chapter of the American Heart Association. Joel's 
involvement is a testament to his commitment and the dedication of 
countless others' to the American Heart Association and the lives of 
people inspired by it.
  Again, I wish the American Heart Association continued success on 
their ``American Heart Month'' and to continue their mission to reduce 
disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

                          ____________________