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Recognizing the Rise of Cardiovascular Disease as the World’s Leading Cause of Death and Disability and Supporting the Recognition of February 2025 as “American Heart Month.”
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WHEREAS, The heart is a vital organ that circulates blood throughout the body, delivering essential oxygen and nutrients. A healthy heart means that the body is equipped to face day-to-day activities, exercise, and stress. Yet, cardiovascular health remains a critical public health concern. Heart disease stands as the leading cause of death in Philadelphia and claims hundreds of thousands of lives across the United States annually; and
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and heart failure, and poses significant risks to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Heart health is essential to overall well-being, as problems with cardiovascular health not only impact individuals and their families, but also place a significant burden on communities and healthcare systems; and
WHEREAS, More than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. About 70 percent of these occur at home, and only about 1 in 10 survive. More than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States, with almost 40 percent of these incidents being sports related; and
WHEREAS, CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. However, only about 46 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest receive CPR from people nearby while waiting for emergency responders to arrive; and
WHEREAS, There are effective solutions to this problem - awareness and education to have cardiac emergency response plans in place, CPR education, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training and accessibility. Knowing how to properly perform CPR will encourage more people to act when faced with a cardiac emergency; and
WHEREAS, The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival from cardiac arrest by 2030 by turning bystanders into lifesavers, so that more individuals are prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival; and
WHEREAS, Congestive heart failure (CHF) poses another risk to heart health and individuals in our city. It is a chronic and progressive heart condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide and contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs; and
WHEREAS, For CHF, early and accurate diagnosis through comprehensive testing is critical to managing congestive heart failure, enabling timely intervention, personalized treatment, and improved quality of life for patients; and
WHEREAS, Advancements in diagnostic tools, including biomarker testing, imaging techniques, and non-invasive assessments, have made it increasingly feasible to detect congestive heart failure in its early stages, even among at-risk populations; and
WHEREAS, Raising awareness about the importance of CHF testing can empower patients and healthcare providers to work toward earlier detection, reducing hospitalizations and enhancing patient outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Promoting action and awareness to address both cardiac arrest and congestive heart failure is essential to saving lives and improving public health. By equipping individuals with life-saving skills such as CPR, ensuring the availability of AEDs, and fostering widespread education on early detection of CHF, we can build stronger, healthier communities and reduce the devastating impact of heart-related health concerns; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes the importance of the ongoing fight against cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, and all heart conditions, and hereby proclaim February 2025 to be American Heart Month.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the American Heart Association as a symbol of the profound respect and admiration felt by this legislative body and the citizens of Philadelphia for their unwavering dedication to improving heart health, promoting education, and saving lives.
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