H.Res. 1043

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1043 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 
following 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 children 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 increased by 4.8 percent, 
the largest increase in heart disease deaths since 2012;
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 respect to the death rate for cardiovascular disease in 
communities of color;
Whereas cardiovascular disease (CVD) results in tremendous health care costs and 
lost productivity, and if not addressed, 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, accounting 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 identified major and 
contributing factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, 
including--

(1) high blood pressure;

(2) high blood cholesterol;

(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 cardiovascular 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 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 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'';
(2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month;
(3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
States to fighting cardiovascular disease--
(A) by promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
and prevention of cardiovascular disease;
(B) by supporting research on cardiovascular 
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, nonprofit 
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.
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