I just finished CPR/AED training at my job, and the topic of NBC journalist, the late Tim Russert, came up. Now, the moderator said that although there was an AED (automated external defibrillator) on site at the time Russert collapsed on June 13, 2008, no one on the scene was trained on how to use it; had someone known how to administer it, it might have kept Russert alive. Knowing what I know now as Im taking this online course in plant-based nutrition, I also know that, even if someone had used an AED on Tim Russert, it probably would not have saved his life. Why? Tim Russert had advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). The arteries in his heart were so clogged and damaged with cholesterol, no doubt the result of years of consuming the traditional American diet heavy on animal protein and processed foods, that it was only a matter of time before his heart gave out on him. According to Wikipedia: Russerts longtime friend and physician, Dr. Michael Newman, said that his asymptomatic coronary artery disease had been controlled with medication and exercise, and that he had performed well on a stress test in late April. An autopsy performed on the day of his death determined that his history of coronary artery disease led to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and ventricular fibrillation with the immediate cause being an occlusive coronary thrombosis in the left anterior descending artery resulting from a ruptured cholesterol plaque. In other words, his doctors basically tried to treat his advanced heart disease (of which there were NO SYMPTOMS) with pills and potions, neither of which could repair in a relative short time what a virtual lifetime of unhealthy eating had done to his heart. On that fateful day six (6) years ago, his history of heart disease led to the following: 1. A heart attack (myocardial infarction); 2. Irregular heart beat (ventricular fibrillation); and 3. A fatal blood clot in his heart caused by the build-up of plaque in his arteries over the decades finally, and literally, bursting (occlusive coronary thrombosis in the left anterior descending artery resulting from a ruptured cholesterol plaque). Tim Russert was only 58 years old. If that doesnt encourage people to even consider modifying their eating habits toward more whole foods plant-based eating, then I dont know what will. The death of Tim Russert is a cautionary tale indeed.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:45:37 +0000
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