1Recognizing the month of February 2013 as "American Heart Month"
2in Pennsylvania and urging all Pennsylvanians to recognize
3the critical importance of the tools and skills that will
4increase survival rates from cardiac arrest.

5WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation's leading cause
6of death and costliest disease with direct and indirect costs
7estimated to be $312.6 billion; and

8WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease accounts for one out of three
9deaths nationwide; and

10WHEREAS, Nearly 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease
11each day, an average of one death every 39 seconds; and

12WHEREAS, Individuals under 75 years of age account for nearly
1333% of deaths due to cardiovascular disease; and

14WHEREAS, Over 40,162 Pennsylvanians died from major
15cardiovascular diseases in 2012; and

1WHEREAS, The research is clear that there are preventive
2strategies, as well as community-based strategies, that can
3increase survival rates from cardiovascular disease; and

4WHEREAS, The American Heart Association's 2020 impact goal
5seeks to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by
620% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and
7stroke by 20% through research, population-level and community-
8level interventions and public health and policy measures; and

9WHEREAS, Efforts of the American Heart Association encourage
10citizens to help save lives by calling 911 if symptoms occur,
11become trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and
12encourage comprehensive automated external defibrillator (AED)
13programs in their communities; and

14WHEREAS, The American Heart Association is celebrating
15February 2013 as "American Heart Month" and promoting education
16and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs
17of heart attack and stroke; therefore be it

18RESOLVED, That the Senate, in recognition of the importance
19of the ongoing fight against heart disease, recognize February
202013 as "American Heart Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all
21Pennsylvanians to recognize the critical importance of the tools
22and skills that will increase survival rates from cardiac
23arrest. By incorporating these tools and skills into aggressive
24programs, thousands of lives can be saved each year.