PRINTER'S NO. 471
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
56
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY BROWN, MARCH 14, 2023
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 14, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of February 2023 as "Atherosclerotic
Cardiovascular Disease Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death
in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, approximately 21 million
patients have been diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease (ASCVD) and are at risk of a cardiovascular event
according to the United States Census Bureau; and
WHEREAS, The Mayo Clinic states that ASCVD is linked to the
buildup of cholesterol in the arteries and the risk of
associated events can be modified by lowering low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); and
WHEREAS, In 2016, nearly 70 million adults in the United
States had higher than recommended LDL-C levels; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 43.1 million people in the United
States are currently treated with lipid-lowering therapies to
manage cardiovascular risk; and
WHEREAS, Only 20% of people with ASCVD who are taking
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statins, one of the leading lipid-lowering therapies, actually
achieve healthy levels of LDL-C; and
WHEREAS, The total direct and indirect cost of ASCVD in the
United States was $555 billion in 2016 and is projected to climb
to $1.1 trillion by 2035 according to the American Heart
Association; and
WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, 931,400 adults have been told by a
health professional that they had angina, a stroke, a heart
attack or coronary heart disease, which are some of the
manifestations of ASCVD; and
WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, 17,653 people had ASCVD as an
underlying cause of death; and
WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, 456,300 adults reported
experiencing a heart attack in their lifetime, and 382,400
adults reported experiencing a stroke in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania spends an estimated $5.5 billion on
direct medical expenses for ASCVD care each year; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
designate the month of February 2023 as "Atherosclerotic
Cardiovascular Disease Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge Commonwealth agencies to expand comprehensive
cardiovascular screening programs to allow for earlier
identification of patients at risk of cardiovascular events; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge Commonwealth agencies to explore ways to collaborate with
Federal public and private national agencies and organizations
to establish or expand comprehensive cardiovascular screening
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programs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge an update of the Commonwealth's cardiovascular plan to
accelerate quality improvements in the care rendered to these
patients, including screening, treatment, monitoring and
improved health outcomes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
support the creation of policies to decrease the rising number
of deaths of Americans as a result of ASCVD; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor, members of the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the President of the United
States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the
United States House of Representatives, members of the United
States Senate and other Federal and State government officials
and agencies as appropriate.
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