How To Keep Your Heart Healthy

With the recent and sudden deaths of Michael Jackson and Billy Mays—both cardiac related, the question arises about heart health. Dr. Nieca Goldberg, cardiologist and the Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of NYU Women's Heart Program, the Co-Medical Director of the 92nd Street Y's Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, and a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association discussed the health issues related to both men during her appearance on The Joan Hamburg Show WOR 710HD.

With both Jackson and Mays being 50 years old, the issue of their health and lifestyles are under investigation. “There are several reasons to have sudden cardiac death, in a 50 year old man the most common cause is a heart attack”, said Dr. Goldberg. She explained that other causes are having an arrhythmia that can spontaneously occur if there is an electrolyte imbalance in the body.

 

 For Jackson, it is suspected that his death may be the cause of a concoction of drugs. “People can die suddenly due to cardiac arrest if they’re on certain drugs,” she said. By using a variety of them, “you can depress the breathing center of the brain, and once you stop breathing, your heart stops,” she continued.

 

The healthiest part of Jackson’s lifestyle was dance, said Goldberg. “He looked very thin, and I think we’re always concerned about obesity, but when people are very very thin—that also isn’t good for their health.”

 

Dr. Goldberg said when it comes to figuring out the cause of the men’s death it is important to look at their medical history. “Everyone needs a baseline,” she said. “We don’t know if [Billy Mays] had high cholesterol or high blood pressure.” She said he simply could have had a heart attack since it is the most common cause in men his age.

 

The discussion of Mays’ blow to the head during a plane landing the day before his death was also considered to be a cause of his death. However, the findings lead that it did not kill Mays. “When you talk about a brain bleed—you’re not talking about a clotting, you’re talking about a bleeding” said Dr. Goldberg. Therefore, she explained that it would not have caused him to have a heart attack. She said plaque in the arteries, even if it is a little bit and does not necessarily cause any obvious symptoms is dangerous. High blood pressure and stress from his accident can break off and cause a block causing him to have a heart attack.

 

 

As for staying heart healthy and preventing heart problems, “the best protection is prevention,” said Dr. Goldberg. “Most men don’t like to go to the doctor, but it’s important for us to encourage these men to go to the doctor and get a blood check up.” This is important for men that do not exercise frequently as well since it is recommended they get a stress test before starting a more intense exercise program.