HEALTH

What Happened to Russert

The science of sudden cardiac arrest.

By Mary Carmichael and Caitlin McDevitt | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 14, 2008 | Updated: 11:15  a.m. ET Jun 14, 2008

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  • Posted By: caitmin @ 07/08/2008 3:06:42 PM

    Tim Russert was a man of the people and will be sorely missed and impossible to replace
    http://www.exederm.com

  • Posted By: fan_chor-cheung @ 06/26/2008 6:57:41 PM

    Since Tim Russert was an enemy of Obama, more than likely Obama's supporters might have something to do with his sudden death. I think the FBI should investigate!

  • Posted By: encycloman@aol.com @ 06/22/2008 7:01:15 PM

    It would be very interesting to know what meds Russert was on for diabetes (if any)! Some of them are NOT "heart friendly" at all. It would be a public service to make that information available!

  • Posted By: BobStilwell @ 06/15/2008 11:10:00 AM

    Article states: "..doctors know little about what predisposes one person to it and not another." In fact, physicians have published many clinical studies in peer reviewed journals showing that a very low fat diet (15% or less fat) will reverse heart disease. People with heart disease who have taken this route found that in angina goes away, arteries clear and they could stop taking drugs. Read books by Esselstyn and Ornish.

    • Posted By: zamkam @ 06/15/2008 3:53:16 PM

      BobStilwell: Please check your facts. To this day there is not a single study proving either that high fat intake is related to heart disease or that low fat intake lowers the risk (let alone reverses) heart disease. The studies you hear about usually include many more factors (like exercise, stress management, counseling, etc) so the end result cannot (as any statistician will tell you) be attributed to only one factor (low fat diet). Dr. Ornish studies are a typical example or this misuse or statistics. There are some studies (mostly with statin drugs) where lowering cholesterol levels were associated with a lower incidence of heart disease, but what they won't tell you about those studies is that the overall death rate (not just from heart attacks) did NOT decrease and in some cases increased substantially. Check it out, the studies and articles are there. You have been lied to, denial is not going to change that.

      • Posted By: conkfarm @ 06/17/2008 7:57:31 PM


        o Posted By: zamkam @ 06/15/2008 15:53:16
        Comment: BobStilwell: Please check your facts. To this day there is not a single study proving either that high fat intake is related to heart disease or that low fat intake lowers the risk (let alone reverses) heart disease. The studies you hear about usually include many more factors (like exercise, stress management, counseling, etc) so the end result cannot (as any statistician will tell you) be attributed to only one factor (low fat diet). Dr. Ornish studies are a typical example or this misuse or statistics. There are some studies (mostly with statin drugs) where lowering cholesterol levels were associated with a lower incidence of heart disease, but what they won't tell you about those studies is that the overall death rate (not just from heart attacks) did NOT decrease and in some cases increased substantially. Check it out, the studies and articles are there. You have been lied to, denial is not going to change that.

        Zamkam: It so happens that when I heard of Tim Russert???s untimely death I was actually reading ???PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE??? by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, published by Avery, New York, in 2007.

        The monograph builds on a group of about 20 individuals with severe coronary artery disease Esselstyn gathered beginning in 1985 and whom he has treated in large part with a strict low fat, plant based diet. See the journal, Preventive Cardiology, volume 4, 2001, pages 171 to 177. One of the group, who was not able to comply with the diet, has died but the others improved and have shown varying degrees of reversal of pathology by imaging.

        I was drawn to the monograph because, at age 74 and free of cardiac symptoms, I did have a major plaque when obtaining a ???Coronary Artery Calcium Score/GE???. Now I am choosing to embark on the Esselstyn diet -- to attempt reduction in size of this plaque and to improve chances of watching all my grandchildren, who now number eight, grow up.

        Tim Russert should at least have been offered the same choice by the medical profession..

        Roswell Eldridge, MD

      • Posted By: conkfarm @ 06/17/2008 7:53:34 PM




        Zamkam: It so happens that when I learned of Tim Russert???s untimely death I was actually reading ???PREVENT AND REVERSE HEART DISEASE??? by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, published by Avery, New York, in 2007.

        The monograph builds on a group of about 20 individuals with severe coronary artery disease Esselstyn gathered beginning in 1985 and whom he has treated in large part with a strict low fat, plant based diet. See the journal, Preventive Cardiology, volume 4, 2001, pages 171 to 177. One of the group, who was not able to comply with the diet, has died but the others improved and have shown varying degrees of reversal of pathology by imaging.

        I was drawn to the monograph because, at age 74 and free of cardiac symptoms, I did have a major plaque when obtaining a ???Coronary Artery Calcium Score/GE???. Now I am choosing to embark on the Esselstyn diet -- to attempt reduction in size of this plaque and to improve chances of watching all my grandchildren, who now number eight, grow up.

        Tim Russert should at least have been offered the same choice by the medical profession..

        Roswell Eldridge, MD

  • Posted By: arab @ 06/17/2008 12:44:02 AM

    ten years ago i had thiple bypass ,a year later a stint put in and a year after that i call it a rotor ruter done and the doc said see you in ten years , well 53 now and guest what i fill pressure on my chess,have been taking my meds like i have suppose to but it has been ten years what didn,t the doc tell me, i know i have a bad family history but i guess it time again or something they are not telling me. oh my dad die at 46 years old, i had one family member had bypass at 28 years old, i wish we had been put on a program years ago to find out if there was any thing to turn us around on heart problems because on my fathers side there was 7 and all had bypass , before they started dieing out they would all talk about there meds and what they were taking and they would say who would be next to die

  • Posted By: uriel81 @ 06/15/2008 5:50:47 PM

    Too bad to see the great Russert exit around Fathers' Day and at such an age as just 58. I would say that he looked a bit sick to me with the red face and bloating, perhaps excess alcohol? Who knows. I've been told to take two (2) 81 mg aspirin tablets per day--and try chewable ones if your stomach is sensitive as some people. My doctor told me that I might not respond adequately to just one tablet. Russert's weight seemed fairly high watching him stride across the baseball diamond on the B-roll footage. And, then there are the 20-hour days that even Ted Koppel mentioned saying, "he worked too hard". Manager positions can be pressure cookers especially in his profession. I think the person who said to get 30 minutes of walking or treadmill at least four times per week was wise, as that is the standard now. Tim, you are admired by many and you will be sorely missed I am sure.

    • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/16/2008 10:34:23 AM

      Hard work never kills anyone, but not getting enough rest is a killer.

      • Posted By: firsty @ 06/16/2008 4:52:45 PM

        Regarding aspirin, you have it backwards. If you have a "sensitive" stomach, use coated aspirin. I use chewables because they don't cause problems in my stomach, and they are around 3 times as effective. The special enteric coating allows the caplet to pass through the stomach to the intestine before it dissolves, to help prevent stomach irritation.

  • Posted By: Ganpat @ 06/16/2008 5:01:59 AM

    Why was he so anti-Clinton?

    • Posted By: John Hirsch @ 06/16/2008 4:30:02 PM

      He was not anti-Clinton, he was Pro-McCain, a catholic. He was in ITaly to collect money from the Catholic Mafia. He was feigning support for Obama because Obama is easier to destruct than Hillary.
      Obama supporters learned about this, so Obama supporters did something to him.

    • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/16/2008 10:48:00 AM

      Well sometimes men with such exceptional personality and good spirit can see things not everyone sees.

  • Posted By: hoseshoejr @ 06/16/2008 4:27:35 PM

    THREE YEARS AGO I HAD A HEART PROBLEM ,THEY ENDED UP PUTTING IN A STINT,I STILL OF AND ON SUFFER PROBLEMS THAT EFECT MY LEFT SIDE AND SLIGHT PAIN,I HAVE HAD STRESS TEST AND BEEN ON EKG MACHINE BUT EVERYTHING COMES OUT SHOWING THINGS ARE CLEAR AND NORMAL,THE DOCTOR RELATES WHAT I HAVE GOING ON IS STRESS AND THAT MY HEART IS FINE.NOW I READ ABOUT THE DEATH OF MR. RUSSERT AND WONDER WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN ,AND THE DOCTORS ARE NOT CATCHING IT.I TAKE CLONOSAPAN FOR STRESS AND AN ANTI DEPRESION MED. I ALSO GET REALLY LIGHT HEADED WHEN STANDING AT TIMES.I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK AT THIS POINT,I WAS ONLY 45 AT THE TIME OF MY CARDIAC PROBLEM AND THE STINT PUT IN.

  • Posted By: sandyorganic @ 06/16/2008 2:32:38 PM

    The autopsy showed Mr. Russert had an enlarged heart which seemed to surprised his internist. Didn't Mr. Russert have the necessary tests for such a heart patient: heart cath, heart scan, echogram? Taking a stress test doesn't tell much. If Mr. Russert took a regular stress test, he should have experienced shortness of breath with his enlarged heart. An internist instead of a cardiologist? His internist should have sent him to a cardiologist. It seems Mr. Russert didn't have the health care that he should have had.
    Sandy Powers

  • Posted By: Ganpat @ 06/16/2008 11:00:50 AM

    The amazing thing is - it proves he had a heart.

    One would have thought all he had was an Obamaniac's microphone.

    • Posted By: ben nevis @ 06/16/2008 2:31:19 PM

      In street lingo you are what is known as a DIRT BAG.

    • Posted By: cathytown22 @ 06/16/2008 2:29:58 PM

      What a disgusting thing to say, Ganpat. Shame on you.

  • Posted By: I Was Right in 2000 @ 06/16/2008 2:23:11 PM

    Ganpat, you are disgusting. The unexpected and untimely death of ANY human being who devotes his or her life to the public good is tragic, and for you to throw your tiny minded comment in just so you can use this opportunity to out your feeble political opinon is truly reprehensible. It's a shame it wasn't you instead, no one would have missed such an evil person.

  • Posted By: NewsWkDickG @ 06/16/2008 1:18:08 PM

    Some things just shouldn't be converted to be about politics. The insensitivity and stupidity just doesn't speak well of those making the comments and it really serves no meaningful purpose. There really are times when "if you don't have anything good to say, then just don't say anything".

  • Posted By: Hope Hill @ 06/16/2008 1:17:53 PM

    Now that we are desperate for decent, intelligent and humane Journalists and for a honorable administration, the lost and sadness for Tim Russert's departure of this world, is even greater. Only God knows why He took him away from us being such young and so noble.

    God Bless you Tim. I am sure you are already having fund in heaven.

    Hope Hill

  • Posted By: Ganpat @ 06/16/2008 10:58:07 AM

    He got too worked up wit his crush on Obama and his hatered of Hitkery, that was his trouble.

    A lesson for all Obamaniacs.

    Frank Rich, Dick Morris, Chris Mathews, Jonanthan Alter, Thomas fineman, Maureen Dowd and other unbiased, fair-minded correspondents- watch out !

  • Posted By: soubriquet @ 06/15/2008 4:25:32 PM

    Diabetes is one of the most common causes of vascular disease, and heart attacks are a common outcome from that disease. If I am not mistaken, diabetes is one of the leading indirect causes of cardiac arrest. Despite the suggestion of the article that Mr. Russert was exercising, his appearance clearly suggests that he was either not exercising enough or not watching his diet. Type 2 Diabetes is a very serious disease that affects every organ in the body, and most people don't really understand it's true burden even if managed with medication. Ultimately this disease is far more effectively treated by a change in lifestyle and not just medication, although both may be necessary. Unfortunately guys his age for cultural reasons (such as the obligations of work) as well hormonal changes tend to be quite sedentary even when tasked with exercise. Type 2 diabetes is mostly preventable via lifestyle changes. In a sense, he was a victim of his culture.

  • Posted By: zorro123 @ 06/15/2008 4:03:30 PM

    I LOVED Tim Russert! His books, his way of interviewing, and his genuine energy for political news. I hope his alma mater JCU names something in his honor. This is also an excellent time to remind people of the need to at least walk 30minutes a day, avoid the "4-whites": anything made with white flour, potatoes, sugar, or white rice. I have. I was a 38-year old pre-diabetic and my doctor warned me I would have a stroke or heart attack by 55 if I didn't change my ways. I have. Cutting out the 4-whites has DRAMATICALLY improved my energy levels and my lab work!! Please, everyone--avoid fiberless starch!!

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 06/15/2008 3:57:59 PM

    There are some inaccuracies in this story. The biggest may be that there is any "science" involved.

    First of all, Dick Cheney has an implanted defibrillator, not a pacemaker - they are two different machines that address two very different problems.

    Second of all, if Mr. Russert had an elarged heart, then he was in fact, symptomatic, and a simple chest xray should have been able to pick this up.

    Third of all, if a heart stops because of a blocked artery, no amount of defibrillation will fix the problem - it may jump start the short-circuited electrical system of the heart for a short period of time, but defibrillation can't do anything about the lack of blood flow caused by a blocked artery.

    And fourth, statins have never been proven to prevent heart attacks - the only thing proven about statins is that they lower cholesterol numbers. Science takes a leap of faith when it assumes that lowering cholesterol prevents heart attacks - we haven't come close to proving this, it just "seems" logical, so we sell a lot of statins based on conjecture.

    The one item this article does mention that has some pretty good science behind it is taking an aspirin daily. But of course, aspirin is very cheap - no pharmaceutical profits there.


    The truth is that there isn't really a lot of "science" connected with sudden cardiac arrest when it is caused by a problem with the heart's circulatory system. We simply don't know why a given piece of plaque blocks a given artery on a given day. We also don't really understand why plaque develops in some but not others, or why it develops slowly in some and faster in others.

    What we do know is that there are specific risk factors - type II diabetes, obesity, smoking, saturated fats in the diet in high numbers - and that there is some genetic risk as well.

    The best advice is still the oldest, and - surprise, surprise - the cheapest: stop smoking, lose weight, eat more frutis and vegetables and less saturated fats, and exercise.

    It is about changing behaviors, something our health care system does not emphasize - our system emphasizes expensive drugs and expensive surgeries. It emphasizes expensive "science" - when common sense frequently work just fine.

  • Posted By: BrownFoxNine @ 06/15/2008 3:47:25 PM

    Sadly. CHF is common in overweight men. No doubt he was carrying a little extra weight and this is always a possibility.
    JT
    http://www.ULtimate-Anonymity.com

  • Posted By: BobStilwell @ 06/15/2008 11:08:44 AM

    Article states: "..doctors know little about what predisposes one person to it and not another." In fact, physicians have published many clinical studies in peer reviewed journals showing that a very low fat diet (15% or less fat) will reverse heart disease. People with heart disease who have taken this route found that in angina goes away, arteries clear and they could stop taking drugs. Read books by Esselstyn and Ornish.

  • Posted By: madisonhack @ 06/15/2008 10:37:18 AM

    Most of these comments are purely moronic diatribes directed at somebody that is clearly familiar yet a stranger to the posters. What kind of entertainment junkies are you all, anyway? Tim was a great journalist who is reported by his best friends to have been a devout family man and a professional who will be missed and revered in that inner circle of news journalists that knew him as we as an audience certainly did not. Godspeed

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