IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 941 
Expressing support for the designation of February 22, 2017, as ‘‘National 
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day’’, coinciding with American Heart Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 5, 2016 
Mr. CA´RDENAS (for himself and Ms. LOFGREN) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of February 22, 
2017, as ‘‘National Heart Valve Disease Awareness 
Day’’, coinciding with American Heart Month. 
Whereas more than 5,000,000 people in the United States 
have been diagnosed with heart valve disease, which in-
volves damage to one or more of the heart’s valves and 
can reduce blood flow, causing the heart to work harder 
and the body to get less oxygen; 
Whereas more than 22,000 people in the United States die 
from heart valve disease every year; 
Whereas more than 1 in 8 people age 75 and older are esti-
mated to have moderate to severe valve disease; 
Whereas 1 in 10 women age 75 and older are estimated to 
have valve disease; 
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•HRES 941 IH 
Whereas if not treated, some forms of heart valve disease can 
lead to major health problems including: decreased mobil-
ity, disability, loss of independence, heart failure, stroke, 
blood clotting, or even death; 
Whereas when aortic stenosis, a common form of valve dis-
ease, becomes severe, the average survival rate without 
surgical intervention is as low as 50 percent at 2 years 
after the onset of symptoms and 20 percent at 5 years; 
Whereas symptoms of heart valve disease such as shortness 
of breath, excessive fatigue, and fainting are often dis-
missed as normal aspects of aging; 
Whereas people are at higher risk of developing heart valve 
disease if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, 
insulin resistance, diabetes, coronary heart disease, a con-
genital heart abnormality or family history of valve dis-
ease, a history of heart problems like heart attack or 
heart failure, rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis, or 
previous valve disease; 
Whereas people are also at higher risk of developing heart 
valve disease if they are a smoker, overweight or obese, 
or older in age; 
Whereas heart valve disease, with proper education and 
awareness, can often be detected through a simple phys-
ical exam and treated with either valve repair or valve re-
placement; 
Whereas lifestyle changes and medication may relieve many 
symptoms and complications of valve disease; 
Whereas the survival rate for valve surgery is approximately 
97 percent, and in most cases patients are relieved of 
symptoms and enjoy a longer life; and 
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•HRES 941 IH 
Whereas the designation of February 22, 2017, as ‘‘National 
Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day’’, and coinciding 
with American Heart Month, will raise public awareness 
about the specific risks of heart valve disease and ensure 
patients receive a timely diagnosis and proper treatment: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports— 
(A) the designation of ‘‘National Heart 
Valve Disease Awareness Day’’; and 
(B) the efforts of the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, as well as the entire med-
ical community, to educate people about the 
risks, symptoms, and treatment of heart valve 
disease; and 
(2) respectfully requests that the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives transmit a copy of this 
resolution to the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. 
Æ 
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