[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WOMEN'S NATIONAL HEART MONTH

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as 
National Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women 
in America, taking the lives of nearly half a million women per year, 
about one per minute. It claims the lives of more women than the next 
five causes of death combined.
  Unfortunately, only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a real 
threat. This is especially troubling, considering my home State of West 
Virginia consistently has one of the highest rates of heart disease 
among women in the Nation. We are making progress, but there is more to 
be done.
  Thankfully, the American Heart Association encourages women to love 
their hearts through their Go Red For Women campaign. In the heart of 
every woman is the power to take care of herself and influence the 
decisions of those around her. By instilling healthy habits now, it 
will impact the heart health of the entire family. The key is to 
provide women with the necessary knowledge and tools so they can take 
positive action to reduce their risks of heart disease and stroke in 
their lives.
  Women should learn more about heart disease and implement healthy 
habits to avoid future risks. Sixty-four percent of women who died 
suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. High blood 
pressure, smoking, and cholesterol are all risk factors.
  Today, make your promise to make your heart healthy. By loving your 
own heart, you can save it. If women make a promise to be heart 
healthy, together we can wipe out the disease.

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