HR0881

LRB093 22052 KEF 50477 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS,  Pulmonary hypertension is a rare  lung  disorder
     
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that historically has been chronic and incurable, with a poor
     
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survival rate; and
 
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        WHEREAS, In the United States, it has been estimated that
    
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300  new  cases  of pulmonary hypertension are diagnosed each
    
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year; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS, The greatest number of  cases  are  reported  in
    women  
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between  the  ages  of  21  and 40, although pulmonary
   hypertension 
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can affect men, women, and children at any  age;
    and
        
 
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    WHEREAS,  Pulmonary  hypertension  also affects people of
    all 
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racial and ethnic origins equally; and

       
 
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    WHEREAS, About 6 to 10 percent of pulmonary  hypertension
    
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cases are familial; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,  During the period January 1996 through December
    
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1997, almost 6,000,000 Americans took anorexic  drugs,  which
    can 
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cause pulmonary hypertension; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,  Pulmonary  hypertension  remains a diagnosis of
    
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exclusion  and  is  rarely  detected   in   routine   medical
    
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examinations; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,  Even  in  later  stages, the signs of pulmonary
    
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hypertension can be confused with other conditions  affecting
    
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the heart and lungs; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,  One  form  of  pulmonary hypertension, known as
    
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secondary  pulmonary  hypertension,  is   caused   by   other
    diseases,  
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and  two  common  causes  of  secondary  pulmonary
    hypertension are 
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emphysema and bronchitis; and

        
 
 


 






HR0881
- 2 -
LRB093 22052 KEF 50477 r




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    WHEREAS,   Other  causes  are  inflammatory  or  collagen



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vascular disease such  as  scleroderma,  CREST  syndrome,  or
    
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systemic lupus erythematosus; and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,  Early diagnosis can lead to early treatment and
    
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the possibility of improved quality  of  life  and  prolonged
    life; 
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and

        
 
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    WHEREAS,   Education   can  help  with  early  diagnosis;
    
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therefore, be it

        
 
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    RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
    
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NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that  
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the  month  of  November  is
    hereby  designated  as Pulmonary 
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Hypertension Awareness Month
    in Illinois; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That we recognize and applaud the  role  played
    by   
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health   organizations  and  health  care  providers  in
    promoting 
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awareness of the  importance  of  early  diagnosis,
    testing,  and  
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ongoing  screening for pulmonary hypertension,
    and we encourage 
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health organizations in this State  to  host
    activities  to  
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promote pulmonary hypertension awareness; and
    be it further

        
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
    
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delivered to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.