[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E264-E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING AMERICAN HEART MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
American Heart Month and commend the staff and volunteers of the 
American Heart Association, and the organizations in New Jersey and 
around the country for participating in this year's successful effort 
to raise awareness of heart disease and the associated risks.
   American Heart Month is a critical public awareness tool that helps 
promote heart-healthy lifestyles, with a focus on prevention and 
incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into all of our daily lives.
   Last Congress, I was honored to accept the position of co-chair of 
the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition. For nearly 20 years, the 
Coalition has served as a resource for all members of Congress and 
worked to advance federal policies that raise the quality of life for 
individuals with heart disease.
   The partnership of the Association and the Coalition is critical to 
raising awareness of the disease and ensuring those of us making 
decisions on funding and policy are educated on how what we do affects 
those suffering. The Association's briefings--which they organize 
throughout the year--are a key component of this strategy.
   Heart and stroke patients, as well as their loved ones and 
caregivers, need vocal advocates on Capitol Hill to ensure access to 
quality care and treatments. We have a duty to

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see that programs aimed at combating cardiovascular disease, or CVD, as 
well as medical research for prevention and treatment of stroke and 
heart attacks, are supported appropriately at the federal level.
   Mr. Speaker, the numbers and their public health implications are 
shocking. CVD is the nation's number one killer. A staggering 85.6 
million people--1 in 3 American adults--suffer from heart disease, 
stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. An American dies from 
cardiovascular disease every 40 seconds. It is estimated that by 2030, 
about 44% percent of all adult Americans will be affected by heart 
disease--with direct and indirect costs from CVD estimated to reach 
almost $1 trillion by 2030.
   Further, as both the Association and the CDC point out, heart 
disease is sometimes thought of as a ``man's disease.'' Yet, heart 
disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer 
of women in the United States, claiming the lives of 398,035 women per 
year. According to the Heart Association, nearly half of all women are 
not aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
   That's worth repeating, Mr. Speaker. Every minute, one woman dies as 
a result of CVD or a stroke.
   The American Heart Association is leading the charge in raising 
awareness of this fact through coordinated campaigns, like National 
Wear Red Day and Go Red For Women.
   One organization working in my Congressional district is the 
Meridian Health Foundation's ``Women's Heart Fund.'' Since its 
inception in 2007, the Foundation--focused on promoting heart health in 
Monmouth and Ocean County--has funded nursing scholarships, equipment 
for management of the most severe heart attacks and vascular 
screenings, and boosted funding for the Pediatric Cardiology Program at 
the K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital and the CardioVascular Intensive 
Care Unit at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, which opened 
last year.
   While American Heart Month comes to a close tomorrow, it's important 
we continue these efforts year round. I would like to thank all of my 
colleagues who are members of the Congressional Heart and Stroke 
Coalition and urge those who have not yet joined to do so. Help us 
continue and grow the critical Coalition-Association partnership that 
is working to improve our constituents' health, families, and future.

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