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".

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; 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; 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 Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation designating the month of February as American Heart Month: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of American Heart Month (2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month; (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to fighting cardiovascular disease by— (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, and prevention of cardiovascular disease; (B) supporting research on cardiovascular disease; and (C) improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality; (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address the long-term implications of the COVID–19 pandemic, including its influence on cardiovascular health and mortality rates; (5) commends the efforts of States, territories, and possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and other entities, and the people of the United States who support American Heart Month; and (6) encourages every individual in the United States to learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Summary: This resolution supports the designation of American Heart Month.