Press Releases

REPS. CAPITO AND EDWARDS INTRODUCE WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH RESOLUTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2014

Contact:
Rebecca Neal (Rep. Capito) (202) 225-2711
Dan Weber/Benjamin Gerdes (Rep. Edwards) (202) 225-8699


Bipartisan effort to promote healthier lifestyles for women

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.) today introduced the bipartisan Women’s Heart Health Resolution, which would recognize the risks of cardiovascular disease and promote preventative heart screenings for women.

“Women lead busy lives juggling their responsibilities to their families and jobs, and taking care of their heart health is often not a priority. Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, and younger women are dying at an increased rate from cardiovascular disease. But heart disease does not have to be inevitable – women of all ages should discuss their risk factors for heart disease with their physicians. This resolution ensures more women will be educated about the dangers of heart disease, will make time to care for their health, and will take preventative steps to protect their hearts and lives,” Rep. Capito said.

“Heart disease is still assumed to impact men primarily, yet it is the number one killer of women in the United States. Heart disease claims the lives of more than 400,000 women each year, and almost half of all African-American women have some form of cardiovascular disease. Faced with this reality, it is imperative that we raise the awareness of women to the dangers of heart disease so they can get early, basic preventive cardiovascular screening. I am proud to work with Rep. Capito on this bipartisan resolution to encourage women and doctors across the country to increase discussions about heart disease, and ultimately save lives,” Rep. Edwards said.

Both Reps. Capito and Edwards took to the House floor today to speak in support of H.Res. 619. Please click on their photos to watch their remarks.

 
Rep. Capito speaks in support of women’s heart health.

 
Rep. Edwards speaks in support of women’s heart health.

The Senate passed a companion resolution introduced by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) by unanimous consent May 21.

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