1Designating the month of February 2014 as "American Heart Month"
2in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, While progress has been significant in reducing
4deaths from heart disease, it is still the number one killer of
5both women and men; and

6WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation's leading cause
7of death and costliest disease with direct and indirect costs
8estimated to be $312.6 billion; and

9WHEREAS, Between 1999 and 2009, the rate of deaths from
10cardiovascular diseases fell 32.7%, but still accounted for
11nearly one in three deaths in the nation; and

12WHEREAS, About 2,150 people die from cardiovascular diseases
13each day, accounting for about one death every 40 seconds; and

1WHEREAS, Over 12,700 Pennsylvanians died from cardiovascular
2disease in 2011; and

3WHEREAS, The American Heart Association's 2020 impact goal
4seeks to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by
520% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and
6stroke by 20% through research, population-level and community-
7level interventions and public health and policy measures; and

8WHEREAS, Efforts of the American Heart Association encourage
9citizens to help save lives by calling 911 if symptoms occur,
10become trained in CPR and encourage comprehensive automated
11external defibrillator programs in their communities; and

12WHEREAS, The American Heart Association is celebrating
13February 2014 as American Heart Month and promoting education
14and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs
15of heart attack and stroke; therefore be it

16RESOLVED, That in recognition of the importance of the
17ongoing fight against heart disease, the House of
18Representatives designate the month of February 2014 as
19"American Heart Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all
20Pennsylvanians to recognize the critical importance of tools and
21skills that will increase survival rates from cardiac arrest and
22save thousands of lives each year.