[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 220--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER AND 
   ``NATIONAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AWARENESS MONTH'' AND ENCOURAGING 
        EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

  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:

                              S. Res. 220

       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
       Resolved, 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.

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