[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 128 (Friday, September 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to S. Res. 
262.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the 
table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements 
relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 262) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 262

       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.

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