A Joint Resolution designating the last week of May of each year as “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week.”
Whereas, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited cardiovascular disease that causes the cells of the heart muscle to grow abnormally thick, which can increase a person’s chance of dying suddenly from a violent interruption in the electrical activity of the heart, known as sudden cardiac death; and
Whereas, It is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease which occurs in one out of 500 people and affects 50 percent of the children of people who suffer from it; and
Whereas, While patients range in age from infants to the elderly, HCM is the leading cause of heart-related sudden death in people under 30 years of age; and
Whereas, Because many people do not know that HCM is an inherited cardiovascular disease and do not experience any symptoms, HCM often goes undiagnosed; and
Whereas, Currently there is no cure for HCM, but with early diagnosis there are reliable and effective treatments available to HCM patients to alter the course of the disease and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death; and
Whereas, If early diagnosis and proper treatment of HCM are to occur, the public needs to develop an awareness and understanding of this genetic disease and its inherited risks; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.36:2-137 “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week,” last week of May; designated.
1. The last week of May of each year is designated as “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week” in the State of New Jersey in order to develop an awareness and understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
C.36:2-138 Annual observance.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week” with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Approved August 18, 2009.