A resolution designating February 2026 as "American Heart Month".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 614 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 614

         Designating February 2026 as ``American Heart Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 25, 2026

    Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Crapo) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
         Designating February 2026 as ``American Heart Month''.

Whereas cardiovascular disease (referred to in this preamble as ``CVD'') affects 
        men, women, and children of every age and race in the United States;
Whereas CVD continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, 
        claiming the lives of over 919,000 individuals in the United States in 
        2023;
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 increased by 4.8 percent, 
        the largest increase in heart disease deaths since 2012;
Whereas the United States has made great progress in reducing the death rate for 
        CVD, but this progress has been more modest with respect to the death 
        rate for CVD among certain racial and ethnic minority populations;
Whereas CVD results in tremendous health care costs and lost productivity, and 
        it is estimated that the United States will spend over 
        $1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs relating to CVD;
Whereas, between 2020 and 2021, heart disease accounted for $417,000,000,000 in 
        health care expenditures and lost productivity in the United States;
Whereas approximately every 40 seconds an individual in the United States 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 in the 
        United States;
Whereas heart valve disease accounts for approximately 28,000 deaths in the 
        United States every year;
Whereas CVDs are a leading cause of maternal death among women in the United 
        States, accounting for more than 1 in 10 pregnancy-related deaths in 
        2021;
Whereas congenital heart defects are--

    (1) the most common types of birth defects in the United States; and

    (2) a leading cause of death for infants with birth defects;

Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and 
        contributing factors that increase the risk of CVD, including--

    (1) high blood pressure;

    (2) high blood cholesterol;

    (3) poor diet;

    (4) tobacco use and exposure to nicotine;

    (5) physical inactivity;

    (6) insufficient or poor-quality sleep;

    (7) obesity; and

    (8) diabetes mellitus;

Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of CVD through lifestyle 
        modification coupled with medical treatment when necessary;
Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors for CVD 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 CVD as the leading cause of death for 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 Senate--
            (1) designates February 2026 as ``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 (referred to in this 
        resolution as ``CVD'') by--
                    (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
                and prevention of CVD;
                    (B) supporting research on CVD; 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 CVD.
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