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PRINTER'S NO. 370
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
60
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, READSHAW, HENNESSEY, SONNEY, DUSH,
CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD, DiGIROLAMO, SCHWEYER, SCHLOSSBERG,
BAKER, BOBACK, MURT, LONGIETTI, V. BROWN, KORTZ, CAUSER,
BULLOCK, D. COSTA, NEILSON, IRVIN, WARD, KINSEY, GABLER AND
BIZZARRO, FEBRUARY 7, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 7, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating February 8, 2017, as "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and urging the National
Institutes of Health to recognize "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Awareness Day" and to advance research relating to peripartum
cardiomyopathy.
WHEREAS, Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare disorder in
which a pregnant woman's heart becomes weakened and enlarged
during the final stages of pregnancy or within five months of
giving birth; and
WHEREAS, The cause is unknown and patients often have no
history of heart disease; and
WHEREAS, Peripartum cardiomyopathy may occur in childbearing
women of any age but is most common after age 30; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms include breathing difficulty when lying
flat, shortness of breath on exertion, swelling, frequent
nighttime urination, cough, excessive weight gain in the final
month of pregnancy, heart palpitations, chest pain and enlarged
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left heart ventricle; and
WHEREAS, The breathing difficulty, often ignored as a normal
symptom in the late stages of pregnancy, increases the risk of
potentially fatal complications; and
WHEREAS, While some women remain stable for long periods,
others experience a rapid deterioration in health and show no
improvement with medical therapy; and
WHEREAS, These women may require cardiac transplantation or,
in severe cases, may die of heart failure, thromboembolic events
or cardiac arrhythmias; and
WHEREAS, For a woman whose heart returns to normal size after
the baby is born, the outcome is positive; and
WHEREAS, For a woman whose heart remains enlarged, future
pregnancies may result in heart failure; and
WHEREAS, Women should understand the importance of contacting
their health care provider if they are pregnant or have recently
delivered a baby and are experiencing signs of peripartum
cardiomyopathy; and
WHEREAS, Awareness is the key to successful outcomes in
peripartum cardiomyopathy; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designate February 8, 2017, as
"Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and
urge all residents to recognize that peripartum cardiomyopathy
is a serious threat to women's health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the National Institutes of
Health to recognize "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day"
and continue research aimed at obtaining a better understanding
of this condition; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourage all women to take charge
of their cardiovascular health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Director of the National Institutes of Health, 9000
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
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