Senate Resolution No. 5409

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 2018, as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in
certain months that are designated to raising awareness of important
issues; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2018, as Brain Aneurysm
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month is to
increase public awareness of brain aneurysms and the signs and symptoms
of this serious medical condition; and

WHEREAS, A brain aneurysm, also referred to as a cerebral aneurysm
or intracranial aneurysm (IA), is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a
brain artery; as the artery wall becomes gradually thinner from the
dilation, the blood flow causes the weakened wall to swell outward,
which may cause the aneurysm to rupture and allow blood to escape into
the space around the brain; and

WHEREAS, Small un-ruptured aneurysms can often be monitored and do
not always require surgery; and

WHEREAS, Large brain aneurysms are more dangerous and symptoms may
include severe headache, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and
behind the eye, loss of consciousness, nausea, sudden weakness and
numbness and/or difficulty speaking; all of these mentioned symptoms are
cause for careful evaluation by a physician; and

WHEREAS, Risk factors for aneurysm rupture include smoking, high
blood pressure, and a family or personal history of a ruptured aneurysm;
and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the medical treatment of brain aneurysms
has advanced to be more effective and less invasive for patients;
treatment or observation is often used for an aneurysm that has not
ruptured, however, once an aneurysm has ruptured, the options are either
open surgery or an endovascular approach; and

WHEREAS, Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month was first established by the
Brain Aneurysm Foundation to help reduce aneurysm rupture by raising
awareness of the signs, symptoms and the risk factors associate with
brain aneurysms; it is also a time to encourage individuals to make an
appointment to be screened if they have a family history of aneurysm;
and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2018, as
Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State of New York, and to urge all
New Yorkers to educate themselves about the signs and symptoms and the
prevention and treatment of brain aneurysms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Legislative Resolution, suitably
engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of
the State of New York.