Long distance flights and Sudden Cardiac Death

[Guest guest]

Tim Russert, who I considered an honest journalist (seemingly an oxymoron, I

know & lt;g & gt;) died of a 'heart attack'. As reported by the media, he had a

history of aymptomatic CAD and cardiomyopathy.

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It turns out that Russert had a heart attack caused by a piece of plaque

breaking free and obstructing the & nbsp;LAD, which resulted in & nbsp;ischemia,

infarction and irreversible V-fib.

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A thought & nbsp;about the plaque breaking loose... it has been suggested that

long flights (US / Australia) have been known to result in deep vein thrombi,

with the affected leg becoming swollen, hot and & nbsp;tender. It is suggested

that people well hydrate and get up occasionally during the flight to reduce the

probability of this occuring.

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Might it be that on the shorter trans-Atlantic trip, similar events could occur,

particularly in an already enlarged heart, as Russert had? He had recently

returned to the US from Rome, where he had taken his wife and son, Luke, as a

graduation present for Luke on his graduation from Boston College.

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Perhaps the recommendations for long distance (8-12 hour) & nbsp;flights should be

extended to all flights?

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" A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the

simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. "

Proverbs 22:3