[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 454

       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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