HR 229 — A Resolution recognizing September 19, 2025, as "Aortic Disease Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   1617

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 229
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, VENKAT, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, FREEMAN,
        KHAN, HOHENSTEIN, D. WILLIAMS AND NEILSON, MAY 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 6, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing September 19, 2025, as "Aortic Disease Awareness
 2      Day" in Pennsylvania.
 3         WHEREAS, The aorta is the largest artery in the body,
 4   originating just after the aortic valve, and it is connected to
 5   the heart, extends through the entire chest and abdomen and
 6   carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to supply the body;
 7   and
 8         WHEREAS, There are multiple aortic diseases and conditions,
 9   including aortic stenosis, traumatic aortic ruptures, congenital
10   and hereditary aortic defects such as Marfan syndrome and
11   abdominal aortic aneurysms; and
12         WHEREAS, More than 25,000 Americans die each year from aortic
13   stenosis, the most common form of aortic disease, which occurs
14   when a damaged valve either blocks or reduces the blood being
15   pumped from the heart, causing heart and circulatory problems;
16   and
17         WHEREAS, A traumatic aortic rupture is the near-complete tear
18   through all the layers of the aorta due to trauma such as that
 1   sustained in a motor vehicle collision or a fall; and
 2      WHEREAS, Aortic ruptures are the second-most common cause of
 3   death associated with motor vehicle accidents; and
 4      WHEREAS, Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that damages
 5   connective tissues and can cause heart problems; and
 6      WHEREAS, One in 5,000 people have this condition with a 50%
 7   chance they will pass it on to the next generation; and
 8      WHEREAS, More than 13,000 Americans die each year as a result
 9   of abdominal aortic aneurysms, a condition in which there is
10   plaque buildup in the walls of the abdominal aorta, causing it
11   to become weak and build up like a balloon; and
12      WHEREAS, A major risk factor for the development of aortic
13   diseases is smoking, and more than 90% of patients with such
14   aneurysms have been smokers; and
15      WHEREAS, Other risk factors include being older than 50 years
16   of age, being male as occurrence in males is 4 to 5 times
17   greater than that of females, a family history with abdominal
18   aortic aneurysm, genetic factors, high cholesterol, high blood
19   pressure, diabetes and obesity; and
20      WHEREAS, Medicare Part A will cover surgeries and hospital
21   stays, while Part B will cover prevention screenings, cardiac
22   rehabilitation, counseling and exercise programs; and
23      WHEREAS, Treatment for aortic conditions includes monitoring
24   with MRI or CT scans, controlling high blood pressure and
25   lowering cholesterol, abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair or
26   endovascular aneurysm repair; and
27      WHEREAS, Prevention of aortic conditions from occurring or
28   worsening entails refraining from using tobacco products,
29   maintaining a healthy diet, keeping blood pressure and
30   cholesterol under control and regular physical exercise; and

20250HR0229PN1617                 - 2 -
 1      WHEREAS, "Aortic Disease Awareness Day" seeks to educate
 2   Pennsylvanians about the health risks associated with the
 3   asymptomatic and lethal condition; and
 4      WHEREAS, As a Commonwealth, we can take the appropriate steps
 5   to identify and prevent serious complications due to aortic
 6   conditions in this Commonwealth; and
 7      WHEREAS, "Aortic Disease Awareness Day" provides the
 8   opportunity for residents of this Commonwealth to show support
 9   for aging adults living with abdominal aortic aneurysms by
10   educating people on the condition, promoting health screenings,
11   encouraging a healthy lifestyle and commemorating the loved ones
12   lost to aortic diseases; therefore be it
13      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
14   September 19, 2025, as "Aortic Disease Awareness Day" in
15   Pennsylvania.




20250HR0229PN1617                 - 3 -