PRINTER'S NO. 4092
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1094
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY R. BROWN, BAKER, BIZZARRO, BOBACK, BURNS,
CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, COHEN, COOK-ARTIS, CORBIN, DAVIS, DEAN,
DUSH, FEE, GODSHALL, HAHN, HELM, KAUFFMAN, KINSEY, KNOWLES,
LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MAHONEY, McNEILL, MILLARD, MILNE,
O'NEILL, PAYNE, PEIFER, PICKETT, QUIGLEY, RAPP, READSHAW,
ROSS, ROZZI, SAYLOR, SCHLOSSBERG, SONNEY, TOOHIL, TOPPER,
VEREB, WARD, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND DiGIROLAMO,
OCTOBER 24, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 24, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2016 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. Often this is because of
ventricular fibrillation, irregular and rapid quivering of the
heart's lower pumping chambers. 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 people 30 years of
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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, If not treated within minutes, sudden cardiac arrest
results in death. 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, For every minute that passes without a shock from an
AED, 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. It can also occur secondary to
other conditions such as impact to the chest, heat stroke,
asthma, drowning, electrocution, allergic reaction or
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 2016 as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and prompt treatment of
sudden cardiac arrest.
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