American Heart Month

WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease is the nation’s leading cause of death and costliest disease with direct and indirect costs estimated to be $297.7 billion; and

WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease accounts for one out of three deaths nationwide; and

WHEREAS, nearly 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 39 seconds; and

WHEREAS, nearly 33 percent of deaths due to cardiovascular disease occur before the age of 75 years; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 785,000 people in the U.S. will have a new coronary attack; an estimated 470,000 people nationwide will have a recurrent attack; and an additional 195,000 “silent” heart attacks will occur this year; and

WHEREAS, 12,583 die from cardiovascular disease in the State of Alabama each year; and

WHEREAS, the research is clear that there are preventive strategies, as well as community-based strategies, that can increase survival rates from cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association’s 2020 impact goal seeks to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent through research, population and community level interventions, public health and policy measures; and

WHEREAS, efforts of the American Heart Association encourage citizens to help save lives by calling 9-1-1 if symptoms occur, become trained in CPR, and encourage comprehensive automated external defibrillator (AED) programs in their communities; and

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association is celebrating February 2012 as American Heart Month and promoting education and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim February 2012, as

American Heart Month

in the State of the Alabama and urge all citizens to recognize the critical importance of tools and skills that will increase survival rates from cardiac arrest.  By incorporating these tools into aggressive programs, we can save thousands of lives each year.

     

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 17th day of January 2012.

 

                                                                            Robert Bentley, Governor