PRINTER'S NO. 4264
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1171
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY R. BROWN, BERNSTINE, BIZZARRO, BOBACK, BURNS,
CALTAGIRONE, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH, EVERETT, FEE, HAHN, HENNESSEY,
HICKERNELL, HILL-EVANS, JAMES, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE,
MARSICO, J. McNEILL, MILLARD, NEILSON, PEIFER, PICKETT,
READSHAW, RYAN, SAYLOR, SCHLOSSBERG, SONNEY, THOMAS, WARD,
WARREN AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 16, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 16, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2018 as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation,
sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United
States, accounting for an estimated 360,000 deaths each year;
and
WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is a condition in which the
heart unexpectedly ceases to function due to ventricular
fibrillation, an irregular and rapid quivering of the heart's
lower pumping chambers; and
WHEREAS, When this occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain
and other vital organs, causing loss of consciousness or
seizure-like activity in seconds; and
WHEREAS, Anyone can experience sudden cardiac arrest,
including infants, high school athletes and individuals 30 years
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of age or older who have no sign of heart disease; and
WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is extremely deadly, with the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute giving the disease a
mortality rate of approximately 95%; and
WHEREAS, The normal rhythm of the heart can only be restored
with defibrillation, an electrical shock that is safely
delivered to the chest by an automated external defibrillator
(AED); and
WHEREAS, If not treated within minutes, sudden cardiac arrest
results in death; and
WHEREAS, For every minute that passes without defibrillation,
the chance of survival decreases by approximately 10%; and
WHEREAS, Lifesaving treatments for sudden cardiac arrest are
effective if administered in time; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Heart Association,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation with an
AED more than double the chances that a victim will survive; and
WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is frequently the outcome of
an underlying heart condition and is often secondary to other
conditions such as impact to the chest, heat stroke, asthma,
drowning, electrocution and allergic reaction or adverse
reaction to medication; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for comprehensive educational
efforts designed to increase awareness of sudden cardiac arrest
among medical professionals and the greater public in order to
promote early detection and proper treatment of this disease and
to improve quality of life; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of October 2018 as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and prompt treatment of
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sudden cardiac arrest.
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