SR-109, As Adopted by Senate, January 26, 2012

SR-109, As Adopted by Senate, January 26, 2012

Senators Schuitmaker, Warren, Emmons, Whitmer, Anderson, Bieda, Booher, Brandenburg, Casperson, Caswell, Colbeck, Gleason, Green, Gregory, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hood, Hopgood, Hune, Hunter, Jansen, Johnson, Jones, Kahn, Kowall, Marleau, Meekhof, Moolenaar, Nofs, Pappageorge, Pavlov, Proos, Richardville, Robertson, Rocca, Smith, Walker and Young offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 109. 109.

A resolution recognizing February 3, 2012, as National Wear Red Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Currently, some 8 million women in the United States are living with heart disease, yet only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat; and

Whereas, 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, and 26 percent of women die within a year of suffering a heart attack--compared with 19 percent of men. While 1 in 30 American women die from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 die of cardiovascular disease; and

Whereas, Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over 419,000 American females each year, almost one death per minute; and

Whereas, Only 43 percent of African-American women and 44 percent of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their chief health risk, compared with 60 percent of white women; and

Whereas, Nearly as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and all other cardiovascular diseases than the next three leading causes of death combined, including all cancers; and

Whereas, Only 16 percent of women surveyed in 2009 identified cardiovascular disease as the most critical health problem facing them; and

Whereas, In women, heart disease is too often a silent killer. Less than a third of women in a recent survey reported any early warning signs such as chest pain or discomfort before a heart attack, compared with most men. Common symptoms for women include pain of the jaw, arm, or back, but most reported a delay in seeking treatments after the symptoms began of, anywhere from 15 minutes to two weeks; and

Whereas, Women are less likely to call 9-1-1 for themselves when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than they are if someone else were having a heart attack; and

Whereas, Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness about heart disease--the leading cause of death for women--and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health; and

Whereas, All women are encouraged to learn their own personal risk for heart disease, using tools such as the American Heart Association’s My Life Check, Go Red For Women^®Heart CheckUp, Go Red For Women^® BetterU, and by talking to their health care provider. Making the right choices relating to proper nutrition, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle choices are essential to living a heart healthy life; and

Whereas, The truth is our lives are in our hands. We can stop our No. 1 killer together by sharing the truth. We can be the difference between life and death; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, we hereby recognize February 3, 2012, as National Wear Red Day in the state of Michigan. We urge all citizens to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day and wearing the color red. By increasing awareness, speaking up about heart disease, and empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease, thousands of lives can be saved each year; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the American Heart Association Go Red For Womenwith our highest esteem.