Supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I support House Resolution 982, sponsored by my colleague Congresswoman Capps from California.

Madam Speaker, peripheral arterial disease is a serious ailment that affects millions of Americans. This resolution will help to draw attention to this problem by recognizing September 18 through 22 as Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week, and it is my hope that this recognition, along with educational efforts on the part of the research and medical communities, will help make this a problem we can overcome.

There are more than 8 million people in the U.S., one in 20 adults, that have peripheral arterial disease. This is a vascular disease that results in the narrowing of arteries and decreased blood flow to the limbs. It could lead to leg pain disability and even amputation. And, sadly, the disease often goes unrecognized because the symptoms include common symptoms of old age, such as fatigue, heaviness, pain and cramping in the leg muscles when walking.

In addition, Madam Speaker, this disease increases the risk of heart attack and stroke in people, making it six times more likely they will die within 10 years when compared with those who do not have peripheral arterial disease. Those at most risk for peripheral arterial disease are people over the age of 50, those who smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, or have a history of heart disease or stroke. In addition, African Americans have a greater risk of getting peripheral arterial disease.

Because of the serious consequences of this disease that affects both women and men and can strike adults of any age, it is important for Congress to support public awareness activities on peripheral arterial disease. Recognizing September 18-22 of this year as National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week will help bring this deadly disease out of the shadows. And, Madam Speaker, as a part of this week of recognition, we need to encourage outreach activities to educate people about peripheral arterial disease. The public must understand that it is a serious public health issue; and given our awareness of these high-risk populations, education and early intervention could greatly benefit and decrease the incidents of peripheral arterial disease and improve the quality of life.

Once again, I would indicate our support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 982, to support the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week. I was proud to introduce this bill with my colleague and fellow co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, Representative Foley.

More than 8 million Americans, that is 1 in 20 adults, have peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Yet this condition is largely unrecognized and often goes undiagnosed because most people do not have any recognizable symptoms.

PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or clogged, resulting in reduced blood flow to the legs.

A diagnosis of PAD is indication that a patient is likely to have narrowed arteries to the heart and brain as well and is a powerful warning sign of existing cardiovascular disease.

However, without early detection and proper treatment, 1 in 4 people who suffer from PAD will also suffer a heart attack, stroke, amputation or even death within the next 5 years.

It is evident that greater awareness about PAD and better detection capabilities will not only improve the quality of life for those who suffer from it, but can actually save their lives.

During National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week, efforts are increased to make physicians and the public at-large more cognizant of their risks for PAD, the symptoms, and the importance of early treatment.

During this week, we can assist by highlighting those who have high risk factors for PAD: over age 50, African Americans, smokers and those with high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, a personal history of heart disease or stroke.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution and encourage them to learn more about Peripheral Arterial Disease and how it may affect them.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 982) supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 982, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week.

While not as well known as many other vascular diseases, peripheral artery disease is a serious illness that affects millions of Americans. It occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. The disease increases the risk of heart attack and stroke and is also a leading cause of lower limb amputation in the United States. But perhaps the most alarming statistic of all is that most people who suffer from peripheral arterial disease have no symptoms and do not know that they have the disease.

This resolution, with the goal of raising awareness of this deadly disease and its warning signs, was authored by my friend and colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health, Mrs. Capps of California. I would like to thank Mrs.

Capps and her staff for their leadership and work on this important resolution. I look forward to hearing more about the disease and its impact on our Nation's cardiovascular health.

I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 982 which offers this Chamber's support for National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness week.

This year, National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week occurs September 18 through September 22 and gives us a time to reflect on the need for the increased education and awareness needed to promote early detection and the proper treatment of this disease.

Peripheral arterial disease, which is a narrowing of the arteries that results in reduced blood flow to the limbs, affects between 8 million and 12 million Americans. Americans suffering from peripheral arterial disease find themselves at increased risk for heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Unfortunately, most cases of peripheral arterial disease are asymptomatic, causing too many Americans not to know that they have the condition.

That is why this resolution and this Chamber's support for National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week are so important. If we can shed light on this devastating disease, more Americans will become educated about their risk factors and get the early detection and treatment to avoid the painful heart attacks, strokes and amputations that too often befall our loved ones.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution.