[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 87--DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 2025 AS ``AMERICAN HEART 
                                MONTH''

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

                               S. Res. 87

       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 over 940,000 
     individuals in the United States in 2022;
       Whereas heart disease and stroke claimed more lives in 2021 
     in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic 
     lower respiratory disease combined;
       Whereas, from 2019 to 2020, deaths from heart disease 
     increased by 4.8 percent, the largest increase in heart 
     disease deaths since 2012;
       Whereas individuals in the United States have made 
     significant progress in reducing the death rate for CVD, but 
     this progress has been more modest with respect to the death 
     rate for CVD among certain racial and ethnic minority 
     populations;
       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 2019 and 2020, heart disease accounted for 
     $252,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost 
     productivity in the United States;
       Whereas, in 2021, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 
     20,000 deaths in the United States;
       Whereas approximately every 40 seconds an individual in the 
     United States will have a heart attack;
       Whereas, in 2021, stroke accounted for approximately 1 in 
     every 21 deaths in the United States;
       Whereas CVDs are the leading causes of maternal death among 
     women in the United States, accounting for more than \1/4\ of 
     pregnancy-related deaths between 2017 and 2019;
       Whereas congenital heart defects are--
       (1) the most common types of birth defects in the United 
     States; and
       (2) the leading cause of death for 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) poor diet;
       (4) tobacco use and exposure to nicotine;
       (5) physical inactivity;
       (6) insufficient or poor-quality sleep;
       (7) obesity; and
       (8) 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 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 cause of death for women; 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 2025 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 (referred to in 
     this resolution as ``CVD'') by--
       (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and 
     prevention of CVD;
       (B) supporting research on CVD; and
       (C) taking other steps to improve health outcomes 
     associated with CVD and reduce associated long-term 
     disability and mortality;
       (4) 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
       (5) encourages every individual in the United States to 
     learn about their risk for CVD.

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