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After Russert’s Death, Talk Focuses on Diabetic Hearts
June 17, 2008 04:25 PM
New research identifies better ways for those with type 2 diabetes to avoid heart attacks and strokes.
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Since “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 58 last week, many media outlets have focused on how others can avoid the same fate.
The New York Times reports that “If there is any lesson in his death … it is a reminder that heart disease can be silent, and that people, especially those with known risk factors, should pay attention to diet, blood pressure, weight and exercise—even if they are feeling fine.”
Some reports state that Russert’s doctors said he had type 2 diabetes. Although the disease may not have been his immediate cause of death, diabetics like Russert are urged to pay particular attention to heart health. Now, new research gives them even more reason for them to do so.
According to a story in U.S. News & World Report, cardiovascular problems account for about two-thirds of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes, and it has long been thought that reducing blood-sugar levels is best for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
But a trio of recent studies suggests that for those with diabetes, reaching blood pressure and cholesterol goals rather than blood-glucose targets may be more important in preventing heart attack and strokes.
The studies’ results are not a license for diabetics to ignore blood glucose levels, however: “Rather than demonstrating that one type of treatment is more useful than another, these studies show that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” says U.S. News & World Report.
The New York Times reports that “If there is any lesson in his death … it is a reminder that heart disease can be silent, and that people, especially those with known risk factors, should pay attention to diet, blood pressure, weight and exercise—even if they are feeling fine.”
Some reports state that Russert’s doctors said he had type 2 diabetes. Although the disease may not have been his immediate cause of death, diabetics like Russert are urged to pay particular attention to heart health. Now, new research gives them even more reason for them to do so.
According to a story in U.S. News & World Report, cardiovascular problems account for about two-thirds of deaths in people with type 2 diabetes, and it has long been thought that reducing blood-sugar levels is best for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
But a trio of recent studies suggests that for those with diabetes, reaching blood pressure and cholesterol goals rather than blood-glucose targets may be more important in preventing heart attack and strokes.
The studies’ results are not a license for diabetics to ignore blood glucose levels, however: “Rather than demonstrating that one type of treatment is more useful than another, these studies show that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” says U.S. News & World Report.
Headline Link: Diabetics should focus on cardiovascular health
U.S. News & World Report writes that “Reaching blood pressure and cholesterol goals rather than blood glucose targets may be more important in preventing heart attack and stroke in these people, say experts. In those who are newly diagnosed with diabetes and are not already in the high-risk category, intensively managing blood sugar may be effective at reducing heart risk.”
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Background: Russert’s sudden—and surprising—death
Russert collapsed and died of a heart attack while working in NBC’s bureau in Washington, D.C., Friday afternoon. He began hosting “Meet the Press” in 1991. The show, now in its 60th year, is the longest-running program in the history of television.
Source: findingDulcinea
“Russert had previously been diagnosed with several risk factors for a sudden heart attack, including coronary artery disease and diabetes. But his death is still a sad reminder that cardiac arrest can strike anyone without warning—and that when it does, it is often fatal,” Newsweek reports.
Source: Newsweek
On “The Today Show,” Dr. Michael Newman explained that Russert suffered from coronary artery disease and struggled with his weight, but that a stress test on April 29th showed “excellent cardiac function at a very high level of exercise.” Newman also said that “Tim would have passed that stress test [Friday] morning” because cholesterol had built up in the wall of his coronary artery but was not restricting bloodflow. His heart attack was caused, says Newman, by a sudden rupture of cholesterol plaque.
Source: “The Today Show”
According to a story in The New York Times, more than 50 percent of all men who die of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. Russert fell into that category.
Source: The New York Times
Related Topics: Mediterranean diet may prevent type 2 diabetes; Russert remembered
The traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, legumes, and fish but relatively low in meat and dairy products, may prevent type 2 diabetes, but researchers don’t know exactly why.
Source: findingDulcinea
Russert’s death inspired memorial tributes from friends, colleagues and fans on television and in his hometown. Sunday’s edition of “Meet the Press,” hosted by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, was dedicated to Russert’s memory and featured clips of his most memorable interviews, as well as commentary from those who knew him best. A wake was held Tuesday, and a private funeral will be held on Wednesday.
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference: Diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Diabetes is diagnosed in Americans with increasing frequency. It is a condition requiring careful management and awareness by both the patient and the patient’s family. The findingDulcinea Diabetes Web Guide provides online resources for learning more about risk factors for diabetes, and diagnosing and treating the disease.
Source: findingDulcinea
The American Diabetes Association provides detailed information on type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
Source: The American Diabetes Association
The findingDulcinea Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide includes information about heart disease types, cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
Source: findingDulcinea
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