IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 175 

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause 

of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis 

of this generation and supporting the recognition of February 2023 

as ‘‘American Heart Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mrs. BEATTY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s 

leading cause of preventable death and disability and 

as the global public health crisis of this generation and 

supporting the recognition of February 2023 as ‘‘American Heart Month’’. 

Whereas cardiovascular disease affects men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States; 

Whereas cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading 

cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of 

nearly 930,000 individuals in the United States in 2020, 

more than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined; 


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•HRES 175 IH 

Whereas, from 2019 to 2020, deaths from heart disease increased by 4.8 percent, the largest increase in heart disease deaths since 2012, and stroke deaths increased in 

the same period by 6 percent; 

Whereas individuals in the United States have made great 

progress in reducing the death rate for cardiovascular 

disease, but this progress has been more modest with respect to the death rate for cardiovascular disease in 

women and historically marginalized communities of 

color; 

Whereas cardiovascular disease results in tremendous health 

care costs and lost productivity, and if not addressed the 

United States alone will spend over $1,000,000,000,000 

dollars by 2035 on costs relating to cardiovascular disease; 

Whereas, between 2018 and 2019, cardiovascular disease accounted for $407,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity; 

Whereas, in 2020, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 

436,000 deaths; 

Whereas, approximately every 40 seconds, an American will 

have a heart attack; 

Whereas heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of 

maternal death among women in the United States, accounting for more than 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths 

between 2011 and 2015; 

Whereas congenital heart defects are— 

(1) the most common types of birth defects in the 

United States; and 

(2) the leading killer of infants with birth defects; 


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•HRES 175 IH 

Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and contributing factors that increase the risk 

of cardiovascular disease, including— 

(1) high blood pressure; 

(2) high blood cholesterol; 

(3) smoking tobacco products; 

(4) exposure to tobacco smoke; 

(5) physical inactivity; 

(6) obesity; and 

(7) diabetes mellitus; 

Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modification coupled 

with medical treatment when necessary; 

Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors 

for cardiovascular disease can improve and save the lives 

of thousands of individuals in the United States each 

year; 

Whereas, under section 101(1) of title 36, United States 

Code, the President is requested to issue an annual proclamation designating February as American Heart 

Month; 

Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of 

the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart 

Association, and many other organizations celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by ‘‘going red’’ to 

increase awareness about cardiovascular disease as the 

leading killer of women; and 

Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a 

proclamation designating the month of February as 

American Heart Month: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 175 IH 

1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘American 

2 Heart Month’’; 

3 (2) supports the goals and ideals of American 

4 Heart Month; 

5 (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

6 the United States to fighting cardiovascular disease 

7 by— 

8 (A) promoting awareness about the causes, 

9 risks, and prevention of cardiovascular disease; 

10 (B) supporting research on cardiovascular 

11 disease; and 

12 (C) improving access to affordable, quality 

13 care to reduce long-term disability and mor14 tality; 

15 (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address 

16 the long-term implications of the COVID–19 pan17 demic, including its influence on cardiovascular 

18 health and mortality rates; 

19 (5) commends the efforts of States, territories, 

20 and possessions of the United States, localities, non21 profit organizations, businesses and other entities, 

22 and the people of the United States who support 

23 American Heart Month; and 


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•HRES 175 IH 

1 (6) encourages every individual in the United 

2 States to learn about their risk for cardiovascular 

3 disease. 

Æ 


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