The Russert Effect: Docs Report Surge

June 18, 2008 — -- Tim Russert's death Friday from sudden cardiac arrest may have hit a nerve deeper than sadness.

Though not in top condition, the dynamic host of NBC's "Meet the Press" was managing his health well. Russert, 58, had recently had a satisfactory stress test, and his doctor reported that he was not diabetic and that his cholesterol levels were appropriate.

Now, Russert's death may lead some to fear for their own seemingly healthy bodies, or the health of a loved one -- and doctors are seeing the effects.

"I am starting to get calls from patients and families," said Dr. Christopher Cannon, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. "They want to avoid a similar outcome."

There is cause to worry. Heart disease affects 16 million people in the United States, according to 2004 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The problem is compounded by the increased rates of obesity and diabetes, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease.

According to Russert's personal physician, Dr. Michael Newman, Russert did not have diabetes and his LDL was 68 (the recommended level is 70 or less). However, Russert carried a lot of belly fat, a known risk factor for heart disease. In general, a healthy person will have a waist measurement that is less than half of their height.

"The message was clear, Tim Russert was too fat for too long and this promoted his premature heart disease," said Dr. Peter McCullough, consultant cardiologist and chief of the division of nutrition and preventive medicine at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. "Patients are getting the message that weight loss is fundamental to reducing [overall] risk. Medications further the efforts by tackling individual risk factors."

Some doctors report that many patients are actively seeking out information on coronary artery disease, enlarged hearts, stress tests and diabetes in order to determine their own risk of heart disease or sudden cardiac death.