Tim Russert's Sudden Death
Tim Russert, the 58-year-old host of NBC's "Meet the Press" and NBC's Washington bureau chief, died suddenly of a heart attack Friday while at work.
After an autopsy, NBC News reported that Russert's doctor, Michael Newman, said cholesterol plaque ruptured in an artery, causing the heart attack. Newman also said the autopsy showed an enlarged heart.
Russert had recently returned from a vacation in Italy.
He was a very popular and respected newsman, and the author of a bestseller about his father called "Big Russ and Me."
The irony does not escape us that he died on Father's Day weekend. As a respected and admired journalist, and a father himself, our hearts go out to his family.
If you have any memories or sentiments about Russert you would like to express, please feel free to comment here.
Sean Swint
Executive Editor, WebMD
After an autopsy, NBC News reported that Russert's doctor, Michael Newman, said cholesterol plaque ruptured in an artery, causing the heart attack. Newman also said the autopsy showed an enlarged heart.
Russert had recently returned from a vacation in Italy.
He was a very popular and respected newsman, and the author of a bestseller about his father called "Big Russ and Me."
The irony does not escape us that he died on Father's Day weekend. As a respected and admired journalist, and a father himself, our hearts go out to his family.
If you have any memories or sentiments about Russert you would like to express, please feel free to comment here.
Sean Swint
Executive Editor, WebMD
27 Comments:
As I approach the anniversary of when my own love died around the same age, far away from me, also from a heart condition, this has really struck home.
My heart goes out to his family who were (reportedly) in Italy at the time and not with him. That can make such a loss even more unbearable.
Tim Russert had such a passion for politics and the issues that we're all facing. I can't imagine election night without him. It just won't be the same. I know he'll be following from heaven.
super-sad.....I can't believe it.
sad...so very sad
It is a sad day for all of us who so enjoyed watching Tim Russert on any given day discussing what he loved best--politics.
His devotion to his family was just wonderful and he taught all of us, so much what it meant to be a loving son.
My thought and prayers are with his family.
Mr. Russert will be missed. He was "Top GUN" My heart and prayers are with his family. I hurt so much inside for this great lost.
Ron Scott
Tim was so full of life and gave of himself so generously. I am really saddened by his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
The news world needs more people like Tim. Reporters who have a passion for the value of the truth and who see the dangers of partisanship from both parties. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and fans of Mr. Russert (including me).
Everything that can be said about Tim Russert has been said. What a loss for all of us and especially his dear family and the broadcast journalism community.
Since this is Web MD, I have several questions. First, did Tim Russert ever have any kind of heart scan or procedure that could have detected the situation that caused his untimely death? It seems with all the tools doctors have today, that the condition should have been detected,if the tools had been used.
The GE corporation, NBC and all who are concerned about good journalism, broadcast or print, should memorialzie Tim Russert by starting a new journalism school that adheres to the high standards exemplified by Tim Russert and name it The Tim Russert School of Journalism.
The election won't be the same.
Tim, you were the Walter Cronkite of politics.
You will be greatly missed
Anonymous 12:56 AM:
The full article here on WebMD has more details. According to his doctor, he had Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) but had done very well on his most recent treadmill test in April.
My husband lost his uncle at age 56 to the same type of condition. It's sudden, tragic, and always unexpected.
Also, to anyone wanting to know more about asymptomatic coronary artery disease, please see Dr. Michael Richman's blog, Cholesterol 101, and in particular, the post he wrote at the time of Alex Trebek's heart attack.
The article and news said Tim Russert had an enlarged heart also..while I dont doubt arterial disease contributed to his sudden death, I think possibly his enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy) played a major factor as well. Cardiomyopathy in itself can lead to "sudden death".
Condolences to his family, he was a newsman that will be missed.
Top of his game, and a tremendous loss for all of us, and just a couple of days from Father's day. My own dad died on Fathers day. It seams the good ones die so young. God speed Tim.
My husband took a test that showed some plaque build up in 2006.He then had a heart cath that showed less than 5% blockage.Both of our fathers dies of heart attacks at the age of 53.Our prayers and thoughts to the family and friends of Tim Russert.He will be sorely missed.
The epitomy of class....a gentle man...a loving father...a devoted son....a guiding hand....a tender husband....a loyal friend....a wise teacher..... a man of strength....a kind spirit....
a blessed man....missed and loved... thank you...for always giving
I was really shocked to hear about Mr. Russert's dealth. I watched him on Meet the Press and Morning Joe often. He was so into his work and life itself. I really admired how much he loved his father and how proud he was of his son. He and his smile will truly be missed.
From; Yvonne Griffith
Me & my husband and our cat (TomKitty) send our deepest sympathy to your wife and son Luke.
I know from experience I have lost 2 parents, 2 grandmothers, aunt from cancer about 2 yrs ago. this June. He was an friend, good husband to you and a great father to Luke...... I wish I could have met him.......I will buy his book.
My mon was his age 58yrs old when she died on Mothers Day 1978......
Sincerely
David & Yvonne Griffith
It is indeed a shock. Our family missed his presence on Meet the Press today, and will continue to do so every weekend thereafter. We feel deeply for his family. This incident also serves as yet another timely reminder to the rest of us to take good care of ourselves, so as not to leave behind loved ones in such a sudden manner. Nothing could be sadder.
Nina
http://www.powertolife.com
Take Charge of Your Life Now
Tim showed us ALLhow to say, i love you and my husband does All the time to our son , who is an over truck driver.Its nice to know a great man like Tim could reach so many people, My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and Big Russ is in my thoughts a lot this week. So very young and so much love he gave us. Tim will be missed all over the world .
Wherever Russert is right now, I'll bet he's ticked that he died before finding out who wins the election -- Obama or McCain!
Myrna; I really think that lack of care from his MD. had a lot to do. If he had an enlarge heart & all those other symstoms of heart desease even when he had a stress test and pass it it was suppose to be look into the matter more closely. I say this b/c my husband at 55 has an enlarge heart, pass the stress test but his MD still was concern b/c his over size heart, high cholesterol & trigrice, HBP etc. and oder more precise test like a caterization and !bingo! he had an aretery 90% and another 70% clog. B/c of the insistance of his MD to see why his large heart he was able to go to the procedure of "stent: & b/c of that he is with us today. My heart goes to his family specially to his father. He was not due yet. If his MD was really concern of his patient, Tim will be with us today. May God be with his family.
Tim was such an interesting, smart. fun, kind man to watch on TV every Sunday. It was so nice to see how much he loved his family. I always thought to myself, wow, he would be a fun guy to date.
Tim was like family. This is a tremendous loss and Sunday will never, ever be the same.
Tim..you were my hero.Good-bye,my friend.
Tim's son seemed to be doing well despite the loss of his dad so close to Father's Day. My father died at age 56 about midnite on my brother's birthday, 12am being Father's Day also. My mom and brother always had a very difficult time in succeeding Father's Days. Best wishes to his family and I hope they continue to celebrate him each Father's Day. Meet the Press will never be the same.
anonymous..
it is so very sad and my heart goes out to his family and all his friends
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