PRINTER'S NO. 719
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
107
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY VOGEL, KEARNEY, BARTOLOTTA, BROWNE, BROOKS,
J. WARD, SANTARSIERO, MENSCH, L. WILLIAMS, HUGHES, FONTANA,
PITTMAN, SCAVELLO, COSTA, MARTIN, PHILLIPS-HILL AND YUDICHAK,
MAY 6, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 6, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 2021 as "Stroke Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death overall
and the fourth leading cause of death among women in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Heart disease and stroke combined are the number one
killer of women in this country; and
WHEREAS, High blood pressure is one of the leading,
controllable risk factors for stroke in men and women; and
WHEREAS, Nearly half of all adults in the United States have
high blood pressure, defined as a reading higher than 120/80;
and
WHEREAS, Black and Latina women who have been pregnant are at
an increased risk for developing high blood pressure and having
a stroke; and
WHEREAS, Pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are
rising at an alarming rate; and
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WHEREAS, Between 1987 and 2015, pregnancy-related deaths rose
by 140%; and
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of
pregnancy-related deaths; and
WHEREAS, In the United States high blood pressure during
pregnancy, or Preeclampsia, is becoming more common; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is one of the most common issues facing
mothers, increasing a woman's chances of eventually dying of
cardiovascular disease by 75%; and
WHEREAS, Even though women face unique risks for stroke they
can help to assure a healthier tomorrow by checking their blood
pressure each morning, talking to their healthcare team if
readings are consistently above 120/80 and getting active and
dropping one unhealthy food from their day; and
WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed to
treat and minimize the severity and damaging effect of strokes
when administered as soon as possible after symptom onset; and
WHEREAS, The F.A.S.T. warning signs and symptoms of stroke
include face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time
to call 911; and
WHEREAS, Beyond F.A.S.T., additional stroke warning signs and
symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or
leg especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion,
trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one
or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance
or coordination and sudden severe headache with no known cause;
and
WHEREAS, During "Stroke Awareness Month" in May 2021, and
year-round, the American Stroke Association's "Together to End
Stroke®" initiative encourages Americans to manage their blood
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pressure, memorize and share the stroke warning signs and call
911 at the first sign of a stroke; and
WHEREAS, Much more research and education are needed to help
Americans prevent, treat and beat stroke; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 2021 as
"Stroke Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge all residents of this
Commonwealth to familiarize themselves with the risk factors
associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms
and dial 911 immediately on the first sign of a stroke to reduce
the devastating effects of stroke in this Commonwealth.
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