Recognizing "American Heart Month"
Floor Speech
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness of the increase in cardiovascular diseases in the United States. Since 1963, to urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, Congress has requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as ``American Heart Month.'' Throughout this month, volunteers, educators, health professionals, community leaders and others will devote time to increase awareness about the number one killer of Americans: Cardiovascular disease. Since 1900 cardiovascular disease has accounted for more deaths than any other major cause of death in the U.S., 1 out of every 3. Every 25 seconds someone has a coronary event and every 40 seconds someone has a stroke. According to the American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2010 Update, the estimated direct and indirect costs of CVD for 2010 totaled $503.2 billion.
Heart disease impacts all ethnic groups, men and women, young and old. Strokes occur more often in women and twice as often in African Americans. Just reported this month at the American Stroke Association conference were statistics showing a 51% increase in strokes in 15-34 year old men and a 17% increase in 15-34 year old women. The average age of a person having a first heart attack is 64.5 for men and 70.3 for women. As overweight and obesity--believed to be the major reasons for these alarming statistics--become more prevalent in our society, the risk of CVD and stroke begins to occur at younger ages.
There are 9 modifiable risk factors for heart disease, 5 of which are related to diet. These include hypertension, abnormal blood lipids, abdominal obesity, diabetes, decreased intake of fruits and vegetables and overconsumption of alcoholic beverages. All of these risk factors could be controlled with healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle.
I am pleased to have the headquarters for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) in my Congressional District. The ADA is the foremost authority in providing nutrition counseling throughout the country. In fact, the more than 71,000 registered dietitians and nutrition professionals who are members support the `eat right' campaign targeted toward all Americans--young and old. The work that they are doing is making a difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke and is improving the health of our citizens.
Having Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) covered by Medicare for beneficiaries diagnosed with hypertension and abnormal blood lipids must happen if we are to have any impact at conquering CVD and its associated deaths. Medical Nutrition Therapy provided by a registered dietitian has been shown to effectively aid in normalizing blood pressure, blood sugar and serum cholesterol levels, while also promoting any necessary weight loss. The lifestyle changes needed to provide the improvements in these risk factors cannot be made by most Americans without the vital assistance of the registered dietitian. By helping people eliminate or improve these risk factors, Medicare will avoid paying for the expensive treatments, procedures and hospitalizations that occur due to a cardiovascular event, thus creating a shift from health "care'" to health "prevention".
I commend the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for their numerous programs and educational materials made available to the public to help them adapt a healthier lifestyle. Many employers and churches are participating in programs which encourage them to create a culture of physical activity and healthy eating to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. The NHLBI program ``Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes'', presents important information about a specific risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, in a user-friendly and clear manner for Latinos. Several Point-of-Purchase food labeling programs are being used by various grocery stores to help their customers make the healthiest choices.
The 2020 Impact Goal of the American Heart Association states: By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20%. It will take all of us working together, encouraging our friends, families and co-workers, to live a healthier lifestyle in order to make this become a reality.
Source