IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 255 
Expressing support for designation of the month of September as ‘‘National 
Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’’ and supporting efforts to educate 
the public about atrial fibrillation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 17, 2009 
Mr. RUPPERSBERGER (for himself and Ms. GRANGER) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of the month of Sep-
tember as ‘‘National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness 
Month’’ and supporting efforts to educate the public 
about atrial fibrillation. 
Whereas atrial fibrillation is a cardiac condition in which 
electrical pulses disrupt the regular beating of the atria 
in the heart, hampering the atria’s ability to fill the ven-
tricles with blood, thus allowing blood to pool in the atria 
and form clots; 
Whereas atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac mal-
function and affects at least 2,200,000 people in the 
United States, with increased prevalence anticipated as 
the United States population ages; 
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•HRES 255 IH 
Whereas atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased 
long-term risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mor-
tality, especially among women; 
Whereas atrial fibrillation accounts for approximately one- 
third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances; 
Whereas according to the American Heart Association, 3 to 
5 percent of people in the United States age 65 and older 
are estimated to have atrial fibrillation; 
Whereas atrial fibrillation is recognized as a major contrib-
utor of strokes, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of 
strokes occurring in people with the condition; 
Whereas it is estimated that atrial fibrillation costs $3,600 
per patient annually for a total cost burden in the United 
States of $15,700,000,000; 
Whereas obesity is an important risk factor of atrial fibrilla-
tion; 
Whereas better patient and health care provider education is 
needed for the timely recognition of atrial fibrillation 
symptoms; 
Whereas more research into effective treatments for atrial fi-
brillation is needed; and 
Whereas September is an appropriate month to observe ‘‘Na-
tional Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’’: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National 
Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’’; 
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•HRES 255 IH 
(2) supports ‘‘National Atrial Fibrillation 
Awareness Month’’ and efforts to educate people 
about atrial fibrillation; 
(3) recognizes the need for additional research 
into treatment for atrial fibrillation; and 
(4) encourages the people of the United States 
and interested groups to observe and support ‘‘Na-
tional Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’’ through 
appropriate programs and activities to promote pub-
lic awareness of atrial fibrillation and potential 
treatments for it. 
Æ 
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