[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           WOMEN'S HEART WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Women's Heart 
Week, February 1 through 7.
  We have heard for years about the devastating impact that heart 
disease has on men's health. It is a lesser-known fact, however, that 
heart disease is the leading cause of death among women 35 and older, 
and while the mortality rate for men with cardiovascular disease has 
dropped, the rate for women is rising. In fact, in every year since 
1984, heart disease has killed more women than men.
  Unfortunately, far too many people are unaware of these grim 
statistics. So much focus has been placed on heart disease in men, it 
has received little attention in women. Too little emphasis has been 
placed on conducting research into cardiovascular disease specifically 
in women--despite the fact that there are physiological differences 
between men's and women's hearts. Many of the diagnostic tools used to 
detect cardiovascular disease were developed for men and are thus less 
effective in women. For example, one study showed that treadmill stress 
tests, used so frequently to diagnose heart disease, product up to 35 
percent misleading results in women. Furthermore, women get poorer 
treatment for cardiovascular problems--they are twice as likely to die 
after a heart attack, twice as likely to have a second heart attack 
within two weeks of the first, and more than twice as likely to die 
after coronary bypass surgery.
  It is important not only that medical researchers focus more on 
gender disparities in heart health and treatment delivery, but also 
that more women become aware of the preventative steps they can take to 
prevent heart disease. Smoking cessation is crucial--27 percent of 
American women smoke, and smoking is the most controllable risk for 
heart disease. Equally disconcerting, 70 percent of American women do 
not exercise regularly, another major risk factor for cardiovascular 
illnesses.
  That is why I am so proud to see that the Women's Heart Foundation is 
bringing attention to these issues with Women's Heart Week. On February 
1, WHF, along with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New 
Brunswick, NJ, will offer a free public program including blood 
pressure and cholesterol screenings, cooking demonstrations, and 
discussion panels. Throughout the rest of the week, further events will 
teach heart-healthy shopping and medication safety.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask that all of my colleagues here in 
the House encourage their constituents to participate in Women's Heart 
Week. Together, we can help raise awareness of the silent killer that 
continues to take so many of our wives, sisters, mothers, and 
daughters.

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