[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING ``AMERICAN HEART MONTH''

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness 
of the increase in cardiovascular diseases in the United States. Since 
1963, to urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, 
Congress has requested that the President issue an annual proclamation 
designating February as ``American Heart Month.'' Throughout this 
month, volunteers, educators, health professionals, community leaders 
and others will devote time to increase awareness about the number one 
killer of Americans: Cardiovascular disease. Since 1900 cardiovascular 
disease has accounted for more deaths than any other major cause of 
death in the U.S., 1 out of every 3. Every 25 seconds someone has a 
coronary event and every 40 seconds someone has a stroke. According to 
the American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2010 
Update, the estimated direct and indirect costs of CVD for 2010 totaled 
$503.2 billion.
  Heart disease impacts all ethnic groups, men and women, young and 
old. Strokes occur more often in women and twice as often in African 
Americans. Just reported this month at the American Stroke Association 
conference were statistics showing a 51% increase in strokes in 15-34 
year old men and a 17% increase in 15-34 year old women. The average 
age of a person having a first heart attack is 64.5 for men and 70.3 
for women. As overweight and obesity--believed to be the major reasons 
for these alarming statistics--become more prevalent in our society, 
the risk of CVD and stroke begins to occur at younger ages.
  There are 9 modifiable risk factors for heart disease, 5 of which are 
related to diet. These include hypertension, abnormal blood lipids, 
abdominal obesity, diabetes, decreased intake of fruits and vegetables 
and overconsumption of alcoholic beverages. All of these risk factors 
could be controlled with healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle.
  I am pleased to have the headquarters for the American Dietetic 
Association (ADA) in my Congressional District. The ADA is the foremost 
authority in providing nutrition counseling throughout the country. In 
fact, the more than 71,000 registered dietitians and nutrition 
professionals who are members support the `eat right' campaign targeted 
toward all Americans--young and old. The work that they are doing is 
making a difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke and 
is improving the health of our citizens.
  Having Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) covered by Medicare for 
beneficiaries diagnosed with hypertension and abnormal blood lipids 
must happen if we are to have any impact at conquering CVD and its 
associated deaths. Medical Nutrition Therapy provided by a registered 
dietitian has been shown to effectively aid in normalizing blood 
pressure, blood sugar and serum cholesterol levels, while also 
promoting any necessary weight loss. The lifestyle changes needed to 
provide the improvements in these risk factors cannot be made by most 
Americans without the vital assistance of the registered dietitian. By 
helping people eliminate or improve these risk factors, Medicare will 
avoid paying for the expensive treatments, procedures and 
hospitalizations that occur due to a cardiovascular event, thus 
creating a shift from health ``care'' to health ``prevention''.
  I commend the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung 
and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for their numerous programs and educational 
materials made available to the public to help them adapt a healthier 
lifestyle. Many employers and churches are participating in programs 
which encourage them to create a culture of physical activity and 
healthy eating to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. The 
NHLBI program ``Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes'', presents important 
information about a specific risk factor for heart disease, high blood 
pressure, in a user-friendly and clear manner for Latinos. Several 
Point-of-Purchase food labeling programs are being used by various 
grocery stores to help their customers make the healthiest choices.
  The 2020 Impact Goal of the American Heart Association states: By 
2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% 
while reducing death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20%. It 
will take all of us working together, encouraging our friends, families 
and co-workers, to live a healthier lifestyle in order to make this 
become a reality.

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