[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  THE HEART FAILURE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, the Heart Failure Society of 
America (HFSA) is a non-profit professional organization headquartered 
in St. Paul, MN, that represents the first organized effort by heart 
failure experts from the Americas to provide a forum for all those 
interested in heart failure research and patient care.
  Today, the Heart Failure Society of America is convening here in our 
Nation's capital with over 2,000 cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, 
internists, family practitioners, research scientists, pharmacologists, 
nurses, pharmacists and other allied health care professionals who 
treat heart failure patients for the HFSA 5th Annual Scientific 
Meeting. At this forum, preeminent professionals will unveil and review 
the latest developments in heart failure research and clinical 
practice.
  Heart failure is a progressive condition in which the heart muscle 
weakens and gradually loses its ability to pump enough blood to supply 
the body's needs and is frighteningly common but underrecognized. Heart 
failure affects nearly 5 million Americans. As more people survive 
heart attacks and are being left with weakened hearts, heart failure is 
the only major cardiovascular disorder on the rise. An estimated 
400,000 to 700,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed each year. 
The number of deaths in the United States from this condition has more 
than doubled since 1979, averaging 250,000 annually. In comparison, the 
death rate from coronary heart disease has dramatically dropped 
statistically over a similar time period. An estimated $8 to $15 
billion is spent each year on the costs of hospitalization due to heart 
failure, which is twice the amount spent for all forms of cancer. While 
there is currently no known cure for heart failure, new treatment 
approaches may help patients live more normal and fulfilling lives and 
benefit from a decreased risk of hospitalization.
  The HFSA was founded in 1994 by a small, dedicated group of academic 
cardiologists who recognized that heart failure was on the rise, but 
that there was no venue for researchers, trainees and clinicians to 
share ideas about combating the disease. We owe them a debt of 
gratitude for providing the impetus for exploring further research and 
treatment which might not otherwise have occurred. The Heart Failure 
Society of America is seen by government, industry and the medical 
community as the authoritative organization on heart failure. The 
Senate first commended the HFSA and its work in the area of heart 
failure in February of last year, designating the week surrounding 
Valentine's Day each year as ``National Heart Failure Awareness Week.'' 
these medical professionals are dedicated to enhancing the quality and 
duration of people's lives.
  We are pleased to welcome this group of distinguished individuals to 
Washington and recognize their extraordinary public service.

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