'Dr. Atkins' suffers cardiac arrest

April 30, 2002

NEW YORK, Apr 25 (Reuters Health) - Dr. C. Atkins, cardiologist

and author of the bestselling " Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution, " returned

home Wednesday after being hospitalized last week for cardiac arrest,

according to a statement released by the Atkins Center on Thursday.

The cardiac arrest was reportedly due to cardiomyopathy, a disease of

the heart muscle in which the muscle thickens and stiffens, which Atkins

has suffered for several years, and not due to blocked arteries.

According to the Atkins Center, Atkins' cardiomyopathy resulted from an

infection. The unusually high mid-April temperatures in New York also

contributed to his cardiac arrest.

" I have had cardiomyopathy, which is a non-coronary condition and is in

no way related to diet, " Atkins said in a statement.

Atkins champions a high-protein, high-fat diet at the expense of bread,

pasta, potatoes and starch vegetables. He blames the USDA's

carbohydrate-heavy pyramid for America's rise in obesity and claims that

Americans have gained staggering amounts of weight since the government

encouraged people, through its pyramid, to eat low fat.

The doctor was released from the hospital on Wednesday and plans to

resume his local speaking engagements and his regular tasks as chairman

of the Dr. C. Atkins Foundation within the next few weeks,

according to the statement.

Wolff, president of The Atkins Companies added, " Until today, this

has been a personal and private family matter for Dr. Atkins. It is

unfortunate for the family that it has not remained so. "

The cardiac arrest occurred during Atkins' breakfast meeting with

members of his staff, according to a spokesperson for the Atkins Center.

A staff member resuscitated him via CPR and he was taken to the

hospital.

Recommended Posts