Women's National Heart Month

WOMEN'S NATIONAL HEART MONTH -- (House of Representatives - February 16, 2006)

02/16/06

(Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as National Heart Month. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, taking the lives of nearly half a million women per year, about one per minute. It claims the lives of more women than the next five causes of death combined.

Unfortunately, only 13 percent of women view heart disease as a real threat. This is especially troubling, considering my home State of West Virginia consistently has one of the highest rates of heart disease among women in the Nation. We are making progress, but there is more to be done.

Thankfully, the American Heart Association encourages women to love their hearts through their Go Red For Women campaign. In the heart of every woman is the power to take care of herself and influence the decisions of those around her. By instilling healthy habits now, it will impact the heart health of the entire family. The key is to provide women with the necessary knowledge and tools so they can take positive action to reduce their risks of heart disease and stroke in their lives.

Women should learn more about heart disease and implement healthy habits to avoid future risks. Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. High blood pressure, smoking, and cholesterol are all risk factors.

Today, make your promise to make your heart healthy. By loving your own heart, you can save it. If women make a promise to be heart healthy, together we can wipe out the disease.

http://thomas.loc.gov