IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1043 
Expressing support for the designation of February 2026 as ‘‘American Heart 
Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 
Mrs. BEATTY (for herself and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of February 2026 
as ‘‘American Heart Month’’. 
Whereas cardiovascular disease affects men, women, and chil-
dren 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 
over 940,000 individuals in the United States in 2022; 
Whereas heart disease and stroke claimed more lives in 2022 
in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic 
lower respiratory disease combined; 
Whereas, from 2019 to 2020, deaths from heart disease in-
creased by 4.8 percent, the largest increase in heart dis-
ease deaths since 2012; 
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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 re-
spect to the death rate for cardiovascular disease in com-
munities of color; 
Whereas cardiovascular disease (CVD) results in tremendous 
health care costs and lost productivity, and if not ad-
dressed, the United States alone will spend over 
$1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs relating to CVD; 
Whereas CVD accounted for $417,900,000,000 in health care 
expenditures and lost productivity between 2020 and 
2021; 
Whereas, approximately every 40 seconds, an American will 
have a heart attack; 
Whereas, in 2022, stroke accounted for approximately 1 in 
every 20 deaths in the United States; 
Whereas, in 2022, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 
19,000 deaths; 
Whereas cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of 
maternal death among women in the United States, ac-
counting for more than a quarter of pregnancy-related 
deaths between 2017 and 2019; 
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 identi-
fied major and contributing factors that increase the risk 
of cardiovascular disease, including— 
(1) high blood pressure; 
(2) high blood cholesterol; 
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(3) poor diet; 
(4) exposure to nicotine; 
(5) physical inactivity; 
(6) poor habitual sleep; 
(7) obesity; and 
(8) diabetes mellitus; 
Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardio-
vascular 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 proc-
lamation 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 Na-
tional 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘American Heart Month’’; 
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(2) supports the goals and ideals of American 
Heart Month; 
(3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 
the United States to fighting cardiovascular dis-
ease— 
(A) by promoting awareness about the 
causes, risks, and prevention of cardiovascular 
disease; 
(B) by supporting research on cardio-
vascular disease; and 
(C) by improving access to affordable, 
quality care to reduce long-term disability and 
mortality; 
(4) commends the efforts of States, territories, 
and possessions of the United States, localities, non-
profit organizations, businesses, and other entities, 
and the people of the United States who support 
American Heart Month; and 
(5) encourages every individual in the United 
States to learn about their risk for cardiovascular 
disease. 
Æ 
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