PITTSBURGH–Initially the reports stated that Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest, but what killed him remains a mystery. Days later, television pitchman Billy Mays died of heart disease while asleep.
More than a year ago, NBC news commentator Tim Russert died from a cardiac arrest caused by heart disease.
All three deaths were unexpected in the two 50-year-olds and the 58-year-old Russert.
Celebrity deaths point to the impact of the nation's No. 1 killer: cardiovascular disease. It accounts for 35.3 percent of all deaths in the United States, or more than cancer, accidents and HIV/AIDS combined. In 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 631,636 people died of cardiovascular disease, down from 864,480 in 2005.
While deaths are declining, challenges remain, especially in trying to revive people after cardiac arrest.
