UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1408
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A RESOLUTION establishing the fourth Wednesday in February to be 1
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day in Kentucky. 2
WHEREAS, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a chronic cardiovascular 3
disease involving the thickening of the heart muscle which can potentially lead to 4
debilitating symptoms and serious complications, including heart failure, atrial 5
fibrillation, stroke, and, in rare cases, sudden cardiac death; and 6
WHEREAS, HCM is the most common heritable heart disease, can affect anyone 7
regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, and has a reported prevalence ranging from one in 8
200 to one in 500 in the general population; and 9
WHEREAS, an estimated 700,000 people in the United States have HCM, yet 85 10
percent of them may remain undiagnosed; and 11
WHEREAS, HCM shares symptoms with other common cardiovascular and 12
pulmonary diseases, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, and 13
fainting, making it difficult to distinguish HCM from these other diseases; and 14
WHEREAS, all-cause mortality risk is three to four times higher in patients with 15
HCM than the general population; and 16
WHEREAS, knowing one's medical history and any signs and symptoms of HCM 17
is an important first step in receiving an accurate diagnosis of HCM; and 18
WHEREAS, a healthcare provider may conduct several tests, including an 19
echocardiogram, a cardiac MRI, or genetic testing to confirm a family history of HCM, 20
and must examine the heart to diagnose HCM; and 21
WHEREAS, following a diagnosis of HCM, it is important for patients to work 22
with their healthcare provider to learn more about their disease and understand different 23
management options, including prescription medicines and surgical treatment options that 24
may help; and 25
WHEREAS, the fourth Wednesday in February is an appropriate day to observe 26
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1408
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NOW, THEREFORE, 1
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 2
Kentucky: 3
Section 1. The Senate of the Commonwealth of Kentucky does hereby establish 4
the fourth Wednesday of February to be Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day. 5
Section 2. The Senate acknowledges the critical importance of hypertrophic 6
cardiomyopathy awareness to improve cardiovascular health in the Commonwealth. 7
Section 3. The Senate supports raising awareness of the consequences of 8
undiagnosed and untreated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the need to seek appropriate 9
care for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a serious public health issue. 10
Section 4. The Senate respectfully requests the Governor to issue annually a 11
proclamation recognizing the fourth Wednesday in February in the Commonwealth of 12
Kentucky as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Day and calls upon the people in 13
the Commonwealth of Kentucky to observe the day with appropriate programs and 14
activities. 15
Section 5. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 16
Resolution to Senator Donald Douglas. 17