THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY BAKER, STERN, TOOHIL, LAWRENCE, CLYMER, FARRY, MASSER, CUTLER AND AUMENT, JUNE 24, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 24, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Promoting awareness of atrial fibrillation and urging the

Secretary of Health to prioritize atrial fibrillation and

implement programs, evaluation, assessment and policy changes

that will reduce the burden of this costly, progressive

disease.

WHEREAS, Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac condition which

occurs when the usually coordinated electrical activity in the

atria of the heart becomes disorganized and chaotic; and

WHEREAS, This condition hampers the atria's ability to

transmit blood to the ventricles, causing blood to pool in the

atria and form clots; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 2.5 million Americans are living with

atrial fibrillation, and because the risk increases with age,

this number is expected to rise dramatically as the average

population gets older; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, 146,945 Medicare beneficiaries in

Pennsylvania used health care services to treat atrial

fibrillation; and

WHEREAS, It is the most common serious heart rhythm

abnormality in people over the age of 65 and is associated with

an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality,

especially among women; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 15% of strokes are the result of

untreated atrial fibrillation; and

WHEREAS, People over the age of 40 have a one-in-four risk of

developing atrial fibrillation in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, An electrocardiogram is an effective and risk-free

means of detecting heart rhythm irregularities and can be a part

of a routine physical examination; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing number of measures to manage

treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients, and improved care

should lead to a decrease in the hospitalization of persons with

atrial fibrillation; and

WHEREAS, Better patient and health care provider awareness of

atrial fibrillation symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and

progressive nature is needed; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives promote awareness

of atrial fibrillation and urge the Secretary of Health to

prioritize atrial fibrillation and implement programs,

evaluation, assessment and policy changes that will reduce the

burden of this costly, progressive disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That these changes include the following:

(1)  Advancing the development of process and outcome

measures for the management of atrial fibrillation by

national developers.

(2)  Supporting pilot and demonstration projects,

including care transitions, support services and appropriate

postacute care, to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and

readmissions for patients with atrial fibrillation.

(3)  Facilitating the adoption of evidence-based

guidelines by the medical community to improve patient

outcomes and advance atrial fibrillation research and

education.