HR0851 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0851 LRB094 19118 HSS 54786 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Heart disease is the leading cause of death of American women; it kills 367,000 women every year, and 8,000,000 women are currently living with the deadly disease; and

WHEREAS, Most women are unaware that heart disease is their leading health concern; they do not know that more women than men die of heart disease each year, and that a first heart attack will more likely kill a woman than a man; women are more likely than men to suffer a second heart attack; women are almost twice as likely as men to die after bypass surgery; and women represent only 25% of participants in heart-related research studies; and

WHEREAS, Although the statistics are grim, there are measures that women can take to protect themselves from heart disease, including getting cholesterol and blood pressure levels under control; becoming more physically fit through brisk daily walks or other moderate physical activity; eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; setting aside quiet time for themselves each day; and quitting smoking; and

WHEREAS, Women are encouraged to be aware of heart attack symptoms, including discomfort, fullness, tightness, squeezing, or pressure in the center of the chest that stays for more than a few minutes or comes and goes; pressure or pain that spreads to the upper back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms; dizziness or nausea; clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness; unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue, or weakness, especially with exertion; stomach or abdominal pain; and shortness of breath; and

WHEREAS, WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, seeks to educate women everywhere about the dangers of heart disease and the ways to prevent it; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that to increase awareness and encourage women to work to prevent heart disease, we declare February of 2006 to be Womens' Heart Smart Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to WomenHeart.