Crapo, Durbin Celebrate Senate Passage of Resolution to Designate February as American Heart Month

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, today celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate February 2026 as American Heart Month.

"February's designation as American Heart Month reinforces our commitment to preventing heart disease through education and continued support for research," said Crapo. "Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Idaho and the United States, making it more important than ever to encourage routine health screenings, raise awareness of blood pressure and cholesterol, and promote early recognition of heart disease warning signs."

"Heart conditions are all too common in the United States, and nearly every family, including my own, has felt the impact of these serious health conditions. We must put forward a concerted effort to invest in our medical research and develop new treatments for cardiovascular diseases," said Durbin. "I'm partnering with my Republican colleague, Senator Crapo, to raise awareness about the damaging impacts of cardiovascular disease during the month of February."

The resolution highlights the importance of the government's commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by supporting research; improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality; and recognizing and championing efforts to address the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health and mortality rates.

In 2023, cardiovascular diseases claimed the lives of nearly 916,000 Americans, making it the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects women and communities of color, and the rate of cardiovascular disease has been growing faster than anticipated due in part to the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased awareness of cardiovascular disease can lead to prevention or treatment, ultimately saving thousands of lives annually.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.