[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7644 of January 30, 2003
 
American Heart Month, 2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Advances in medical research have significantly improved our capacity to
fight heart disease by providing greater knowledge about its causes,
more innovative diagnostic tools to detect and counter it, and new and
improved treatments that help people survive and recover from it.
Despite these advances, heart disease continues to be America's number
one killer. During American Heart Month, we renew our commitment to
fighting cardiovascular disease by encouraging our citizens to learn
more about its risk factors, its various warning signs, and life-saving
emergency response techniques.
Heart attacks result when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle
is severely reduced or stopped. Because many heart attack victims do not
recognize the warning signs until it is too late, only one in five is
able to reach a hospital quickly enough to benefit fully from
treatments. To help Americans survive heart attacks, the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is part of the National
Institutes of Health, has joined with the American Heart Association
(AHA) and other national organizations to create a major educational
campaign, called ``Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs.'' This campaign
encourages Americans to learn the warning signs of a heart attack and to
call 911 within minutes--five at most--of the start of symptoms. The
campaign also offers educational materials for both the general public
and healthcare professionals to encourage communication among doctors,
other healthcare providers, and their patients about the importance of
recognizing heart attack signs and getting treatment quickly.
Far too many Americans are also unaware of the dangers of cardiac
arrest, in which the heart suddenly loses its ability to function. Most
cases of cardiac arrest that result in sudden death occur when the dis

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eased heart's electrical impulses become rapid and then chaotic. About
95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the
hospital. However, if treated within a few minutes, cardiac arrest can
be reversed through defibrillation, an electric shock that allows the
heart to resume a normal beat.
Research has shown that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and
rapid defibrillation, combined with early advanced care, can produce
long-term survival rates of 40 percent where a cardiac arrest has been
witnessed by a bystander. The AHA has developed a nationwide educational
campaign called ``Operation Heartbeat,'' to increase public awareness
about cardiac arrest. ``Operation Heartbeat'' is educating the public
about the warning signs of cardiac arrest, the importance of calling 911
immediately, and the benefits of administering CPR until defibrillation
can be given.
When Americans take personal steps to improve their health, our whole
society benefits. By developing good eating habits, being physically
active, taking advantage of preventive screenings, and avoiding drugs,
tobacco, and excessive use of alcohol, individuals and families can
significantly reduce the onset and burden of heart disease. In promoting
new education programs, supporting research, expanding access to life-
saving tools, and encouraging our citizens to learn more about
cardiovascular disease and lead healthy lifestyles, we can save lives.
In recognition of the important ongoing fight against cardiovascular
disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963,
as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the
President issue an annual proclamation designating February as
``American Heart Month.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim February 2003 as American Heart Month. I
invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States, and the American people to join me in reaffirming our commitment
to combating cardiovascular disease.
GEORGE W. BUSH