[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 262 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 262

     Designating the month of September 2009 as ``National Atrial 
 Fibrillation Awareness Month'' and encouraging efforts to educate the 
                   public about atrial fibrillation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 11, 2009

  Mr. Feingold (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Dorgan, and Mr. Crapo) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Designating the month of September 2009 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, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 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 who are 65 years of age and older are estimated to 
        have atrial fibrillation;
Whereas, according to a study in the American Heart Association journal 
        ``Circulation'', atrial fibrillation is recognized as a major 
        contributor to strokes, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of strokes 
        occurring in people with atrial fibrillation;
Whereas the Journal of the American College of Cardiology estimates that the 
        treatment of 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; and
Whereas more research into effective treatments for atrial fibrillation is 
        needed: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the month of September 2009 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.
                                 <all>