Manning's 'Aortic Aneurysm Awareness Day' Legislation Signed into Law

State Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) announces that her legislation, House Bill 364, was signed into law by the governor. The bill would designate Feb. 13 as “Aortic Aneurysm Awareness Day” in order to help public health throughout the state. Manning attended the virtual signing ceremony earlier today.

“I am extremely pleased the governor took the time to review this important legislation,” said Rep. Manning. “This bill will bring to light the risk factors and the proper treatment of aortic aneurysms in order to save the lives of more Ohioans. This issue is personal to me and I am grateful the governor has signed the legislation into law.”

"Thank you to my colleagues for passing this bill and to Governor DeWine for signing it today. My father had a significant impact on my life which still influences and guides me every day," said Senator Manning. "We hope that this bill will not only honor his life but save other lives by encouraging more people to get screened.”

Manning’s motivation behind the bill is due to her husband and former Lorain County Prosecutor, the late Jeff Manning, as he passed away due to an aortic aneurysm in 2004.

“This is an important day for patients with aortic aneurysm and dissections, and their family members,” says Dr. Milind Desai, M.D., Medical Director of the Center for Aortic Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.  “I am extremely thankful to State Representative Gayle Manning and Senator Nathan Manning for sponsoring this bill, which will help raise awareness. It is vital we continue to work towards early recognition of aortic aneurysms so that we can offer timely, life-saving treatment of this condition.”

It is estimated that 43,000 patients die each year from aortic diseases.

Presenting no symptoms, an aortic aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement or bulging of the wall of the aorta, the largest artery in the human body. Increased awareness and early detection are critical to managing the condition and reducing the risk of rupture and death.

“We are delighted our leaders in government have recognized the rupture and dissection of the aorta as a growing problem in both young patients with genetic disorders and older patients who at a greater risk of this devastating life-threatening condition,” says Eric Roselli, M.D., Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery and Director of the Aorta Center at the Cleveland Clinic Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. “Increasing awareness of this disorder is essential in order to properly identify, diagnose and treat these patients.”

House Bill 364 passed out of the Ohio House in February, and after passing out of the Senate last month, the bill moved forward to the governor’s desk.

For more information on healthy heart habits, visit www.heart.org.