Senate Designates the Month of September 2009 as
Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

The U.S. Senate approved S. Res. 262 on September 11, 2009. This Resolution designates the month of September as Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Awareness Month. Adopted under unanimous consent by the Senate, the resolution reinforces the need to raise awareness and garner support for initiatives affecting AF, a condition that impacts roughly 2.2 million Americans. The resolution was introduced by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and co-sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

“Atrial Fibrillation is a very common heart rhythm disorder affecting the lives of millions of Americans and when left untreated can lead to more serious health problems,” said Richard L. Page, MD, FHRS, Society president. “The move to establish a National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month is an important step toward increasing overall public awareness and is strongly supported by the Heart Rhythm Society.”

S. Res. 262 notes that AF affects at least 2,200,000 people in the United States, with increased prevalence anticipated as the population of the United States ages; that it is associated with an increased long-term risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality from all causes, especially among women; that AF accounts for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances and more.

Affirming that more research into effective treatments for AF is needed, the Senate resolved that S. Res. 262:

1. Designates the month of September 2009 as ‘‘National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’’;
2. Supports 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 National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month through appropriate programs and activities that promote public awareness of atrial fibrillation and potential treatments for atrial fibrillation.

» Read full text of S. Res. 262 (PDF, 150K)
» Read Heart Rhythm Society press release on this resolution