SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 681

WHEREAS, Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 95 percent of atrial fibrillation is nonvalvular, and nonvalvular AF affects an estimated 5.8 million people in the United States; the risk of stroke is five times greater for these individuals, and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is estimated to cost $6.65 billion per year, primarily due to the direct and indirect costs of hospitalization; and

WHEREAS, In Texas, stroke was the third-leading cause of death as of 2015, with a prevalence of three percent among persons 18 years of age and older; it also disproportionately affects non-Hispanic blacks, who are significantly more likely to die from stroke than whites; and

WHEREAS, Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, advanced age, hyperthyroidism, and heart disease; in addition, many modifiable lifestyle behaviors can lead to a stroke, among them physical inactivity, tobacco use, poor diet, and heavy alcohol consumption; and

WHEREAS, Atrial fibrillation is an extremely serious health issue, but outcomes can be improved with heightened awareness of the condition and effective measures for treatment and prevention; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize September 2019 as Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month and commend the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, and the Texas Heart Attack and Stroke Data Collaborative for their efforts to address atrial fibrillation.

Johnson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 2, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate