[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 6 (Monday, February 11, 2002)]
[Pages 173-174]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7521--American Heart Month, 2002

 February 1, 2002

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    A new era in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases 
has created renewed hope for those suffering from heart-related 
disorders. Anticoagulant drugs and other technologically innovative 
artery-opening treatments, like angioplasty, are enabling doctors to 
better treat cardiovascular problems in their early stages. Armed with 
the knowledge that lifestyle plays a significant role in the prevention 
of heart disease, more and more Americans have recognized the importance 
of not smoking, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy 
diet.
    Despite these advances, cardiovascular disease, including heart 
disease and stroke, remains the leading cause of death in the United 
States and greatly increases disability among Americans. This year, 
cardiovascular disease will be the primary or contributing cause in 
about 60 percent of all deaths and will cost our Nation more than $330 
billion in lost wages, diminished productivity, and medical expenses. It 
is a little known fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death 
among women, with over 370,000 deaths every year.
    According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, most heart attack 
patients wait more than 2 hours before seeking emergency care, primarily 
because they do not recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. Delayed 
awareness of the onset of a heart attack means that only one in five 
heart attack victims gets to the hospital quickly enough to benefit from 
life-saving medical treatments.
    Fortunately, many new public-private partnerships are working to 
educate Americans about the warning signs of a heart attack and the need 
for rapid response. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and 
the American Heart Association have recently joined with other national 
organizations to sponsor a campaign called ``Act in Time to Heart Attack 
Signs.'' This public awareness initiative emphasizes preventing heart 
attacks, recognizing sometimes subtle heart attack symptoms, and 
immediately calling 911 when those symptoms first appear.
    The AHA has developed an educational campaign, ``Operation 
Heartbeat,'' that focuses on reducing sudden deaths from cardiac arrest. 
Cardiac arrest, an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from 
effectively pumping blood through the body, usually results in death 
within 10 to 14 minutes. Currently, only about five percent of those who 
experience sudden cardiac arrest survive. Operation Heartbeat is 
educating the public about the signs of cardiac arrest, reinforcing the 
importance of calling 911 immediately and promoting the benefits of 
knowing and administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, until advanced 
care can be given to restore a normal heartbeat.
    At this observance of American Heart Month, we pay tribute to the 
researchers, physicians, and other health professionals, public 
education professionals, and volunteers for their tireless efforts in 
preventing, treating, and researching heart disease. We recognize the 
critical importance of developing tools that will increase survival 
rates from heart attacks and cardiac arrest. By incorporating these new 
tools into aggressive education programs and partnerships, we can save 
tens of thousands of lives annually.
    In recognition of the important needs in the 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.''

[[Page 174]]

    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2002 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 and stroke.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., February 5, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on February 2, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
February 6.