PA House Passes Resolution to Raise Awareness About Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Pittsburgh–The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today adopted a resolution designating November 2009 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. House Resolution 521 was introduced on November 5 by Representative Mike Turzai, 28th Legislative District, along with 69 co-sponsors. The resolution passed unanimously 198-0.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is an often misunderstood medical
condition,” said Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), House Republican Whip. “This
treatable condition leads to more deaths annually than breast cancer, prostate
cancer, colorectal cancer and AIDS combined. The more attention we bring to this issue, the more lives
will be saved.  It was my honor to
sponsor a Pennsylvania House of Representatives resolution designating November
as Pennsylvania Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.”

Rep. Turzai was inspired to introduce the legislation after participating in the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation 2009 Genesis Awards Reception in Pittsburgh on October 15. "We sincerely appreciate Rep. Turzai's initiative to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in the legislature and throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Mary Newman, Foundation President.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.

Text of House Resolution 521 follows.

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of November 2009 as "Sudden
Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of
death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 325,000 deaths each
year according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a
nonprofit organization, was created specifically to raise awareness about
sudden cardiac arrest in this Commonwealth and the nation; and

WHEREAS, Anyone can experience sudden cardiac arrest,
including infants, high school athletes and people 30 years of age and 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, The American Heart Association states that to
have a chance of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest, victims must receive a
lifesaving defibrillation within the first four to six minutes of the attack;
and

WHEREAS, For every minute that passes without a shock
from an automated external defibrillator, 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 automated
external defibrillator more than double the chances that a victim will survive;
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 November 2009 as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and prompt treatment of sudden cardiac
arrest.