New legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with lead Democrat cosponsor Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) recognizes February as American Heart Month and is designed to bring greater awareness to the global cardiovascular health crisis and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to combat heart disease throughout the year.

            “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans—and more women die from heart disease than all cancers combined,” said Rep. Smith, noting that approximately 659,000 Americans die from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year.

            “This legislation urges deployment of U.S. technical expertise and development of a coordinated strategy to integrate CVD into existing national and global health programs to help combat this deadly disease,” said Smith, Co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition.

            If not addressed, heart disease could cost the United States over $1 trillion in spending per year by 2035, according to a study by the American Heart Association.

            “In New Jersey alone, there are about 419,000 people currently affected by coronary heart disease—the most common type of CVD—according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),” Smith said. “We must redouble our efforts to raise awareness of the causes and risks of CVD as well as the critical lifesaving steps we can all take to mitigate risks and prevent heart disease in the first place.”

            About 47 percent of American adults have one of the key risk factors for heart disease, which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

            Fortunately, serious risk of death and disability from heart disease can be decreased significantly through important lifestyle changes—including by reducing tobacco use and salt consumption, increasing physical activity, and improving nutrition—together with greater access to medical treatment and services.

            To learn more on how you can help lower risks and prevent heart disease, click here.

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