WASHINGTON — The Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act, known as the CAROL Act, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday and now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.
The CAROL Act is named after Rep. Andy Barr’s late wife, Carol Leavell Barr, who died a sudden cardiac death from a mitral valve prolapse. It’s an underlying heart condition that causes death in .2% of cases, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The legislation will invest in, support and raise awareness for valvular heart disease, according to Barr’s office. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the act last year. It was passed unanimously in the Senate.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor Carol Barr, whose selflessness and service to her community and country will be furthered through the law that will bear her name,” Barr, R-6th District, said in a news release. “I want to thank Rep. Kathleen Rice, Senator Mitch McConnell, and Senator Kyrsten Sinema for partnering with me on this bill. I can’t express my appreciation enough for the American Heart Association, WomenHeart, and the American College of Cardiology who endorsed this bill from day one and all the other advocacy groups that have helped champion this bill over the last year and a half. We got it done.”
The CAROL Act has been sponsored by more than a dozen organizations, including the Adult Congenital Heart Association, the Alliance for Aging Research American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Association of Black Cardiologists, CardioVisual, Caregiver Action Network Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF), HealthyWomen and more.
“The ACC applauds Congress for passing the CAROL Act and authorizing critical funding for valvular heart disease research. Each year, valvular heart disease results in approximately 25,000 deaths in the U.S.,” said Dr. Samuel O. Jones IV, American College of Cardiology’s Health Affairs Committee Chair, in a press release. The CAROL Act will play a significant role in reversing this trend by supporting the development of public health initiatives to improve awareness, diagnosis, and education for patients and clinicians.”
According to the American Heart Association, 25,000 Americans lose their lives to valvular heart disease each year, predominately young women.