LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2015 as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2015 as Brain Aneurysm Aware-
ness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, More prevalent than breast or prostate cancers, brain aneu-
rysms affect about two percent of the United States population, and
approximately three to six million people go about their daily lives
living with an undetected brain aneurysm; and
WHEREAS, Sometimes referred to as a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm,
a brain aneurysm is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a brain artery;
there are two types: fusiform and saccular, which is the most common and
is also known as a berry aneurysm because of its shape; and
WHEREAS, Brain aneurysms form silently from continuous wear and tear
on the arterial walls over an extended period of time; this constant
stress to the artery wall can sometimes, but not always, lead to hemor-
rhaging, causing severe damage or death; and
WHEREAS, Occurring in people of all ages, brain aneurysms are most
common in people ages 35 to 60 and women are more susceptible than men;
they are usually diagnosed in the third or fourth decade of someone's
life and are rare in childhood and adolescence; and
WHEREAS, There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation
of brain aneurysms, including smoking, hypertension, injury, infection,
inherited tendency, and the use of alcohol and oral contraceptives; and
WHEREAS, Although people with undetected brain aneurysms may have
headaches, this is often not associated with the actual aneurysm; most
people are completely asymptomatic and have no symptoms, while others
may experience some or all of the following symptoms: cranial nerve
palsy, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and behind the eye and
localized headache; and
WHEREAS, When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it causes bleeding into the
compartment surrounding the brain, the subarachnoid space, causing a
subarachnoid hemorrhage, which often heals over, bleeding stops, and the
person survives; in more serious cases, the bleeding may cause brain
damage with paralysis or coma and in the most severe cases, the bleeding
leads to death; and
WHEREAS, The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured
brain aneurysm is about 12/100,000 and the annual prevalence of aneurys-
mal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the United States exceeds 30,000 people;
and
WHEREAS, People who suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm, or subarachnoid
hemorrhage, will often have warning signs, including localized headache,
nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, blurred or double vision, sensitivity
to light and loss of sensation; and
WHEREAS, People who have been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm in the
United States and those who reside in the State of New York, and have
survived a ruptured aneurysm need support and help to get through this
frightening and extremely unsettling experience; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2015 as Brain
Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.