[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 27 (Monday, February 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S957-S958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 560--DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 2024 AS ``AMERICAN HEART 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Crapo) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 560

       Whereas cardiovascular disease (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``CVD'') affects men, women, and children of 
     every age and race in the United States;
       Whereas CVD continues to be the leading cause of death in 
     the United States, claiming the lives of nearly 695,000 
     individuals in the United States in 2021, more than all forms 
     of cancer;
       Whereas, from 2019-2020, deaths from heart disease in the 
     United States increased by 4.1 percent, and stroke deaths 
     increased over the same period by 4.9 percent;
       Whereas individuals in the United States have made great 
     progress in reducing the death rate for CVD, but this 
     progress has been more modest with respect to the death rate 
     for CVD in women and historically marginalized communities of 
     color;
       Whereas CVD results in tremendous health care costs and 
     lost productivity, and, if not addressed, the United States 
     alone will spend over $1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs 
     relating to CVD;
       Whereas, between 2018 and 2019, heart disease accounted for 
     $240,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost 
     productivity in the United States;

[[Page S958]]

       Whereas, in 2020, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 
     436,000 deaths in the United States;
       Whereas approximately every 40 seconds an individual in the 
     United States will have a heart attack;
       Whereas heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of 
     maternal death among women in the United States, accounting 
     for more than 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths between 2011 
     and 2015;
       Whereas congenital heart defects are--
       (1) the most common types of birth defects in the United 
     States; and
       (2) the leading killer of infants with birth defects;
       Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have 
     identified major and contributing factors that increase the 
     risk of CVD, including--
       (1) high blood pressure;
       (2) high blood cholesterol;
       (3) smoking tobacco products;
       (4) exposure to tobacco smoke;
       (5) physical inactivity;
       (6) obesity; and
       (7) diabetes mellitus;
       Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of CVD 
     through lifestyle modification coupled with medical treatment 
     when necessary;
       Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk 
     factors for CVD can improve and save the lives of thousands 
     of individuals in the United States each year;
       Whereas under section 101(1) of title 36, United States 
     Code, the President is requested to issue an annual 
     proclamation designating February as American Heart Month;
       Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of 
     the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart 
     Association, and many other organizations celebrate National 
     Wear Red Day during February by ``going red'' to increase 
     awareness about CVD as the leading killer of individuals in 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a 
     proclamation designating the month of February as ``American 
     Heart Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates February 2024 as ``American Heart Month'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month;
       (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
     States to fighting cardiovascular disease by--
       (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and 
     prevention of cardiovascular disease;
       (B) supporting research on cardiovascular disease; and
       (C) improving access to affordable, high-quality, and 
     innovative care to reduce long-term disability and mortality;
       (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address the long-
     term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 
     influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health 
     and mortality rates;
       (5) commends the efforts of States, territories, and 
     possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
     organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of 
     the United States who support American Heart Month; and
       (6) encourages every individual in the United States to 
     learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.

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