South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone for all the work he has done. I know he has a big API community in his district, so we appreciate his attention to these issues.
I am very proud to rise in support of my bipartisan bill, the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, and I thank my colleague from the other side of the aisle, Representative Joe Wilson, as well as several other Republicans who have cosponsored this bill and for leading on this issue with me.
Every 38 seconds, a person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death, regardless of gender, for most racial and ethnic groups in America. But within those groups, South Asian Americans have the highest death rate from heart disease nationwide.
Now, one of the things I love about Congress is that when we have representation of various diverse communities, we are able to bring up issues that our constituents raise to us or that we feel very viscerally. I first introduced this bill in 2017 after the mother of Ven Neralla, my then-legislative director and who is still a staff member here in Congress, tragically died suddenly of heart disease. As we started researching the issue what we learned is that South Asian Americans are four times more likely to develop heart disease than the general population.
As the first South Asian-American woman in the House of Representatives, I am aware of the barriers that our communities experience to address this epidemic. Much of our knowledge about the risks within this community is actually thanks to relatively new research and personal experience. We just don't exhibit the typical risk factors for heart disease, which hinders early diagnosis and prevention measures, not only within our own community but within the broader group of people who have heart disease.
So while my bill does focus on the South Asian community, it benefits all Americans, and it is careful in the bill--in working through language with Republicans last year and in this Congress--to make sure that we have that multipronged approach. It is even more important as we continue to grapple with the lasting impacts of COVID-19. The American Heart Association says that heart disease will likely continue to kill more Americans than any other cause as `` . . . the influence of COVID-19 will directly and indirectly impact rates of cardiovascular disease prevalence and deaths for years to come. . . .''
Ven's mom would have turned 80 this year. His family is just one of millions who have lost a loved one because of heart disease. But her death will not be in vain. This bill will help prevent other families from undergoing this same tragedy. By passing this bill, not only will we prevent deaths within the South Asian community, but we will also increase awareness and understanding of cardiovascular disease that will benefit the health and well-being of every American.
Again, I am grateful to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who understand the importance of this bill and have really stepped up to help me pass this legislation on the floor today.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on passing this bill and saving lives.
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Ms. JAYAPAL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Representatives Sherrill's amendment to study the relationship between COVID-19 and rates of morbidity and mortality due to heart disease.
And while it is true the gentleman is correct, that there is research out there, the reality is also that there needs to be more, and that the studies that are out there right now prove some elements, but not the entire causal relationship.
In a large study of COVID-19 survivors conducted by the VA, researchers found increased frequency of abnormal heart rhythms, heart muscle inflammation, blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure in patients who had COVID-19. The cardiac effects of COVID-19, however, are extremely widespread, and not broadly understood.
I am just going to say, I also have personal experience with this. After my husband contracted COVID-19 from me, after I got it when some colleagues on the other side of the aisle did not want to wear masks on January 6 in the safe room, he, unfortunately had a series of heart attacks and had to have a series of heart operations last year.
Every single doctor said to us, we need more research on exactly what the causal relationship is. And this is the reality of where we are today; and I think that this amendment by Representative Sherrill is a very good addition to the bill.
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