III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 220 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 22, 2009 Mr. Feingold (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Dorgan, and Mr. Crapo) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of September as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month and encouraging efforts to educate the public about atrial fibrillation.

Whereas atrial fibrillation is a cardiac condition in which electrical pulses disrupt the regular beating of the atria in the heart, hampering the ability of the atria to fill the ventricles with blood, and subsequently causing blood to pool in the atria and form clots; Whereas atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac malfunction and affects at least 2,200,000 people in the United States, with increased prevalence anticipated as the population of the United States ages; Whereas atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased, long-term risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality from all causes, especially among women; Whereas atrial fibrillation accounts for approximately 1/3 of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances; Whereas, according to the American Heart Association, 3 to 5 percent of people in the United States aged 65 and older are estimated to have atrial fibrillation; Whereas atrial fibrillation is recognized as a major contributor to strokes, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of strokes occurring in people afflicted with atrial fibrillation; Whereas it is estimated that treating atrial fibrillation costs approximately $3,600 per patient annually for a total cost burden in the United States of approximately $15,700,000,000; Whereas obesity is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation; Whereas better education for patients and health care providers is needed in order to ensure timely recognition of atrial fibrillation symptoms; Whereas more research into effective treatments for atrial fibrillation is needed; and Whereas September is an appropriate month to observe as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the designation of September as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month; (2)supports efforts to educate people about atrial fibrillation; (3)recognizes the need for additional research into treatment for atrial fibrillation; and (4)encourages the people of the United States and interested groups to observe and support National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month through appropriate programs and activities that promote public awareness of atrial fibrillation and potential treatments for atrial fibrillation.