For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 30, 2003
American Heart Month, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Advances in medical research have significantly improved our capacity
to fight heart disease by providing greater knowledge about its causes,
more innovative diagnostic tools to detect and counter it, and new and
improved treatments that help people survive and recover from it.
Despite these advances, heart disease continues to be America's number
one killer. During American Heart Month, we renew our commitment to
fighting cardiovascular disease by encouraging our citizens to learn
more about its risk factors, its various warning signs, and lifesaving
emergency response techniques.
Heart attacks result when the blood supply to part of the heart
muscle is severely reduced or stopped. Because many heart attack
victims do not recognize the warning signs until it is too late, only
one in five is able to reach a hospital quickly enough to benefit fully
from treatments. To help Americans survive heart attacks, the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is part of the National
Institutes of Health, has joined with the American Heart Association
(AHA) and other national organizations to create a major educational
campaign, called "Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs." This campaign
encourages Americans to learn the warning signs of a heart attack and
to call 911 within minutes five at most of the start of symptoms.
The campaign also offers educational materials for both the general
public and healthcare professionals to encourage communication among
doctors, other healthcare providers, and their patients about the
importance of recognizing heart attack signs and getting treatment quickly.
Far too many Americans are also unaware of the dangers of cardiac
arrest, in which the heart suddenly loses its ability to function.
Most cases of cardiac arrest that result in sudden death occur when the
diseased heart's electrical impulses become rapid and then chaotic.
About 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching
the hospital. However, if treated within a few minutes, cardiac arrest
can be reversed through defibrillation, an electric shock that allows
the heart to resume a normal beat.
Research has shown that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
and rapid defibrillation, combined with early advanced care, can
produce long-term survival rates of 40 percent where a cardiac arrest
has been witnessed by a bystander. The AHA has developed a nationwide
educational campaign called "Operation Heartbeat," to increase public
awareness about cardiac arrest. "Operation Heartbeat" is educating the
public about the warning signs of cardiac arrest, the importance of
calling 911 immediately, and the benefits of administering CPR until
defibrillation can be given.
When Americans take personal steps to improve their health, our
whole society benefits. By developing good eating habits, being
physically active, taking advantage of preventive screenings, and
avoiding drugs, tobacco, and excessive use of alcohol, individuals and
families can significantly reduce the onset and burden of heart
disease. In promoting new education programs, supporting research,
expanding access to life-saving tools, and encouraging our citizens to
learn more about cardiovascular disease and lead healthy lifestyles, we
can save lives.
In recognition of the important ongoing fight against
cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved
December 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has
requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating
February as "American Heart Month."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim February 2003 as American Heart Month.
I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States, and the American people to join me in reaffirming our
commitment to combating cardiovascular disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twentyseventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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