Dear Member of Congress:

I am writing this letter as your constituent and someone who cares deeply about heart health to thank you for cosponsoring the HEART for Women Act. On behalf of the women in our state, I am proud that you have added your name to this important bill.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of American women, claiming the lives of more than 450,000 American women each year. Over the last 25 years, the death rate for heart disease in men has declined steadily (by more than 17%), while the death rate for women has declined by only 2.5%, resulting in a disparity in heart disease mortality in women compared to men. Recent studies continue to confirm that women who have heart attacks receive fewer of the recommended treatments, compared to men. Sadly, it’s no wonder that women are more likely than men to die within a year of having a heart attack.

Fortunately, the HEART for Women Act will help eliminate disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. The bill enjoyed tremendous, bipartisan support in the last Congress, which culminated with its passage by the House of Representatives by a 418-4 vote in late September, 2008. Thank you again for co-sponsoring this bill, and I urge you to do what you can to ensure its quick passage in the 111th Congress.

The American Heart Association is a strong supporter of the HEART for Women Act along with more than 50 other organizations. The HEART for Women Act can help millions of women live longer, healthier lives.

Thanks for your support!

Dear Member of Congress:

I am writing this letter as your constituent and someone who cares deeply about heart health to urge you to become a cosponsor of the HEART for Women Act.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of American women, claiming the lives of more than 450,000 American women each year. Over the last 25 years, the death rate for heart disease in men has declined steadily (by more than 17%), while the death rate for women has declined by only 2.5%, resulting in a disparity in heart disease mortality in women compared to men. Recent studies continue to confirm that women who have heart attacks receive fewer of the recommended treatments, compared to men. Sadly, it’s no wonder that women are more likely than men to die within a year of having a heart attack.

Fortunately, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswomen Lois Capps (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) have reintroduced legislation, the HEART for Women Act, in the 111th Congress, that will help eliminate disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. The HEART for Women Act enjoyed tremendous, bipartisan support in the last Congress, which culminated with its passage by the House of Representatives by a 418-4 vote in late September, 2008.
The American Heart Association is a strong supporter of the HEART for Women Act along with more than 50 other organizations. The HEART for Women Act can help millions of women live longer, healthier lives.

Please help current and future women at risk for heart attack and stroke – perhaps your mother, wife, sister, daughter, or friend – by becoming a co-sponsor of the HEART for Women Act. To co-sponsor the HEART for Women Act, please have your staff contact one of its lead sponsors: Oliver Kim with Senator Stabenow (Oliver_Kim@stabenow.senate.gov or 224-4822); Amanda Makki with Senator Murkowski (Amanda_Makki@murkowski.senate.gov or 224-6665); Amy Fisher with Representative Capps (Amy.Fisher@mail.house.gov or 225-3601); or Chris Foster with Representative Bono Mack (Chris.Foster@mail.house.gov or 225-5330). Thank you for your consideration.