HR0729 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0729 LRB097 16971 GRL 62161 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Currently, some 8 million women in the United States are living with heart disease, yet only one in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat; and

WHEREAS, 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease; and

WHEREAS, 26% of women die within a year of suffering a heart attack, compared with 19% of men; and

WHEREAS, While one in 30 American women die from breast cancer each year, one in 3 die of cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over 419,000 American females each year, almost one death per minute; and

WHEREAS, Only 43% of African-American women and 44% of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk, compared with 60% of white women; and

WHEREAS, Nearly as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and all other cardiovascular diseases than the next 3 leading causes of death combined, including all cancers; and

WHEREAS, Only 16% of women surveyed in 2009 identified cardiovascular disease as the greatest health problem facing them; and

WHEREAS, In women, heart disease is too often a silent killer, compared with most men; less than one-third of women in a recent survey reported any early warning signs, such as chest pain or discomfort, before a heart attack; and

WHEREAS, Common symptoms for women included pain of the jaw, arm, or back, but most reported a delay in seeking treatments after the symptoms began anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 weeks; and

WHEREAS, Women are less likely to call 911 for themselves when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than if someone else were having a heart attack; and

WHEREAS, "Go Red For Women" is the American Heart Association's national call to increase awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for women, and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health; and

WHEREAS, All women should learn their own personal risk for heart disease by using tools such as the American Heart Association's "My Life Check", the "Go Red For Women Heart CheckUp", and "Go Red For Women Better U", and by talking to their healthcare provider; and

WHEREAS, Making the right choices relating to proper nutrition, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle choices are essential to living a heart healthy life; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, we designate the month of February 20one2 as "Go Red For Women Month" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge all citizens to show their support for women's health, join the fight against heart disease and stroke, increase their awareness of these deadly diseases, and empower women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke so that thousands of lives can be saved each year.