Louisiana HR 240: HEALTH/LDH:  Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to raise awareness about the risks posed by atrial fibrillation and stroke

Bill Text

ENROLLED
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 240
BY REPRESENTATIVE PIERRE
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to raise awareness concerning the
risks posed by atrial fibrillation and stroke.
WHEREAS, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, atrial
fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia; and
WHEREAS, while an estimated two million seven hundred thousand to six million
one hundred thousand people in the United States have atrial fibrillation, this number is
expected to increase with the aging of the population; and
WHEREAS, risk factors for atrial fibrillation include high blood pressure, heart
failure, diabetes, advanced age, hyperthyroidism, and heart disease; and
WHEREAS, those with atrial fibrillation have a risk of stroke that is four times
greater than those without, and strokes caused by complications from atrial fibrillation tend
to be more severe than strokes with other underlying causes; and
WHEREAS, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States resulting
in one person in the United States dying from stroke every four minutes; and
WHEREAS, stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and stroke survivors
are most likely to become disabled and experience difficulties with daily living and
activities; and
WHEREAS, the total annual cost of stroke in the United States is thirty-four billion
dollars, which includes direct healthcare costs and lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, atrial fibrillation is a serious health issue deserving attention from state
health officials; and
WHEREAS, an increase in community awareness of atrial fibrillation and its
complications can improve the likelihood that people with atrial fibrillation will seek the
treatment they need before suffering from devastating consequences.
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HR NO. 240 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health
to raise awareness about the risks posed by atrial fibrillation and stroke, as well as the
availability of treatment options.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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