Atherosclerotic Heart Disease, Whitney Houston's Condition, Explained

A coroner's report released today shows that Whitney Houston's official cause of death is accidental drowning, with cocaine use and heart disease listed as contributing factors, according to news reports.

ABC News reported that while drowning was Houston's main cause of death, it was aggravated by atherosclerotic heart disease.

MSNBC reported that ongoing cocaine use can actually make heart problems worse.

“Cocaine, like other stimulants, can exacerbate pre-existing heart disease, such as coronary artery disease or hypertension," San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office spokeswoman Sarah Gordon told MSNBC. "In the presence of these pre-existing diseases, cocaine can cause heart failure, heart attack or sudden death."

Atherosclerotic heart disease occurs when the arteries going to the heart and other organs are hardened because of plaque build-up within the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke, heart attack and death, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute explains.

Atherosclerosis can develop into coronary heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of American men and women, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease and carotid artery disease are other conditions that can be caused by atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis can be hard to spot, since mild atherosclerosis typically doesn't have any signs, the Mayo Clinic reported. However, if the arteries are seriously clogged and hardened, the blood clot that forms in the artery can break, thereby leading to a heart attack or stroke.

When you have more serious atherosclerosis, you may experience heart attack-like pain if the hardening is in the arteries leading to the heart. If the atherosclerosis is in the arteries leading to the brain, you may feel sudden arm or leg numbness, or drooping facial muscles, the Mayo Clinic reported. Atherosclerosis in the arms and legs can manifest as pain while walking.

Getting a physical exam from a doctor could help alert him or her to potential signs of atherosclerosis. The condition can then be diagnosed with blood tests, ultrasounds, stress tests and electrocardiograms, the Mayo Clinic reported. Treatments include taking medications, or having a procedure -- like angioplasty (where a stent is inserted to open the artery) or bypass surgery.

But the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute noted that lifestyle changes are the main way to stop atherosclerosis (though, of course, some people may need the drugs or procedures, depending on advice from a medical professional). These lifestyle changes include losing weight, stopping smoking, exercising and eating right. However, some risk factors can't be changed -- like age, or having a family history of the condition.

Past celebrities who've died from atherosclerosis-related heart disease include Tim Russert, of TV news fame, who died in 2008 of a heart attack brought on by his atherosclerosis at age 58; and Chris Farley, a comedian, who died in 1997 of from accidental overdose of cocaine and morphine, though CNN reported that coronary atherosclerosis was a contributing factor.

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Comments

[dbrett480]

02:23 PM on 03/29/2012

What, cocaine was involved in Houston's death? I'm shocked.

[BarryWolk]

02:59 PM on 03/25/2012

The report said that she DIDN'T have a heart attack, she DIDN'T have a stroke, she drowned as a result of cocaine use. The comparison to Tim Russert's heart attack was insane!

And, what about her prescription drug use?!?

Nuff Said!

[David Faisel]

07:08 PM on 03/24/2012

My claircognizance tells me that this is cover up that will never be re-investigated. A cover-up to protect the reputation of the prescription drug doctor(s) and industry.

I would bet 10,000 in cash to ANYONE that if Dr. Michael Baden got involved, he would find a different outcome.

Yes, Whitney may have had atherosclerosis heart disease and she may have had cocaine in her system, but these two facts were HIGHLIGHTED INTENTIONALLY to cover the fact that it was the prescription drugs that impaired her perfunctory ability to wake-up when her head fell beneath the water in the bathtub.

Cissy are you reading this.

Atherosclerosis and cocaine were highlighted to avoid the scrutiny of another celebrity case where prescription pills had an effect, either directly or indirectly, in another celebrity's death.

[stevenurke]

10:44 AM on 03/25/2012

You must be a liberal, quite possibly a worthless attorney too. Never blame the illegal drugs. I guess it is difficult to sue the people who sold her cocaine huh?

[David Faisel]

03:04 PM on 03/25/2012

And you must be a sheeple, quite possibly a HS dropout, who hates Obama, and get most of your information from Sean Hannity. Open your frikken eyes, the truth stands naked for all to see. The LA M.E. highlighted the thing that you bought into right away. If you could think for yourself, you'd know that cocaine is a stimulant, not a depressant. It was the prescription drugs that depressed Whitney's impulse to react to drowning. Whitney's death was similar to Heath Ledger's death from pillow suffocation because of a cocktail of prescription drugs in his system preventing him from normal arousal while in the throws of suffocation.
Since Whitney had a reputation as a cocaine abuser, unfortunately, no one is going to investigate the doctors who prescribed these prescription drugs to her. Calling Doctor Michael Baden...

[kua]

03:10 PM on 03/25/2012

Read this: http://huff.to/H2ThK8

[detalumis]

01:23 PM on 03/25/2012

Really another conspiracy theory.

[kua]

03:13 PM on 03/25/2012

Read this and learn: http://huff.to/H2ThK8
BTW, not all conspiracies are just theories with no evidence.

[David Faisel]

03:19 PM on 03/25/2012

Why do sheeple (detalumis) respond to everything they can't understand as a conspiracy theory? Wait, I know, it's because sheeple dont think for themselves.

But this is obvious. All you have to do is open your eyes. The truth stands naked for all to see. I guess it's easy to write Houston off because of her personal failings, as some white non-fans tend to do. But the fact remains, cocaine or heart disease was not the indirect cause of Houston's drowning.

[al pambuena]

06:41 PM on 03/24/2012

oh crap....now some washington grey suited politico, will outlaw this, and we will be taxed and fined, and a 1200 page law will come out, costing us billions, and nobody will read the friggin thing, until after it is published, then when we fined out that it is not constituional, all the states will challange it in court.............please nov 2012, hurry up.

[Neil Denholm]

05:32 PM on 03/24/2012

Jack, John and coke had nothing to do with it? Doh

[kua]

03:15 PM on 03/25/2012

Who said that? You.
Read: http://huff.to/H2ThK8

[Neil Denholm]

03:39 PM on 03/25/2012

Sarcasm. oops

[usrgfox43]

04:16 PM on 03/24/2012

I get a kick out of amanda chan and the huffpost. evidently by comparing whitney and chris farley to tim russert makes the drug addiction of the 2 former sleaze balls justified. they never once in the article call cocain a drug--to them it is a stimulant.

[froidytoidy]

03:50 PM on 03/24/2012

There is a strong genetic component to addiction. Best of luck to Whitney's daughter, she is very high risk. Hope she stays away from all of it.

[tb much]

09:55 AM on 03/24/2012

Clearly, Ms. Houston heart was first damaged by her poor choice in a boyfriend then husband, and her bad decision to experiment with drugs. These other ailments of her demise was the catalyst that ended it all.

[David Faisel]

07:09 PM on 03/24/2012

It's a cover-up. It wasn't her heart. It was the prescription drugs that impaired her ability to wake up when her head fell beneath the water.

[mzrecycle]

06:48 AM on 03/24/2012

Cocaine use can damage the arteries of the heart. That damage itself can cause atherosclerosis. This is why young people who haven't had signs of atherosclerosis, then start using cocaine can die of a heart attack.
The original coroner's report gave information that was in line with this info. This particular article doesn't address this fact.
Cocaine use is a roll of the dice. One day you can use a certain amount, with no problems. Another day same person can use that same amount--and die.

[IamYourDrillThrall]

08:52 AM on 03/24/2012

So true. David Bowie had a heart attack at 52 that I'll bet was brought on by drug use. And my favorite comedian of all time, George Carlin, died way too young at 70 from heart disease...he had a coke problem (a really bad one) for many years.

We are seeing a bunch of rock stars from 30 years ago dying off in their 40's, 50's, 60's...too young.

[Alal]

09:55 PM on 03/24/2012

70 is WAY TOO YOUNG? Really?

[kua]

03:17 PM on 03/25/2012

READ! http://huff.to/H2ThK8
And then contemplate the concise phrase "unknowable interactions".

[mzrecycle]

06:22 PM on 03/25/2012

Really awful stuff. I'm glad there is a doc speaking out about these drugs and their danger.

[danburry]

02:08 AM on 03/24/2012

In the 70's a top level record executive was fired for his dishing out coke to his recording stars.... funny how NO ONE in the media sees the connection. He has been around Whitney Houston lately and no reporter or detrctive has been smart enough to put 2 and 2 together,,,,

[IamYourDrillThrall]

08:53 AM on 03/24/2012

Do you mean Clive Davis?

[rhodaryder]

12:28 AM on 03/24/2012

Whitney's life as a cocaine and drug addict and her death are tragic. She was a beautiful young lady with a gift of voice and song whose life was turned upside down and into desperate addiction to a drug that controlled her. When you look at before and after pictures not only of Whitney but of other drug addicts, look at Lindsay Lohan!! There is nothing glamorous about the lives of drug addicts. Their lives are tragic. If anything, wouldnl't it be a good thing to see Whitney for what the drugs did to her and not as a goddess who was immune to the rapid decayed process of drug addicts. She was a singer at the end, but she was no longer a great singer. Whitney is a story that casts a shadow over life and how drug addiction destroys the very beauty in people and in what could have been.

[IamYourDrillThrall]

08:58 AM on 03/24/2012

This is just my opinion, but I think Whitney Houston was a rather self-absorbed and spolled person. She was naturally gorgeous (first black cover model for 17 magazine), giften with an amazing set of pipes (no musical training of any kind) had a strong family that loved her deeply (don't know much about her father, but her mother was an unwaivering supporter, as were her brothers and their wives). And she threw it all away so she could feel like cool and hip and high all the time.

Yes, I loved her voice...and yes, I bought the Bodyguard CD when it came out, wore it out, and went right out and replaced it. Her voice was amazing.

But her public personal and behavior wasn't so amazing..it smacked of low-class. When the reality show "Being Bobby Brown" came out, I watched a few episodes, and it wasn't a flattering picture. She was loud, used foul language around her daughter, and treated fans poorly.

And I watched every big interview she ever did. Never saw the 'surrender' required of an addict...the 1st step to recovery. 3 stints in rehab, and she still thought she could call the shots.

Shame on you, Ms. Houston. You were pushing 50 and have a young daughter...it was time to grow up and take responsiblity for your actions....

[Cissy Miranda]

10:35 AM on 03/25/2012

You are being very righteous. And, by the way, she did have musical training. As a teenager, she would go into New York City for singing lessons on Saturdays. Considering that she was from a musical family, she may have had other training also.

Whitney Houston was a sweet girl who made a mistake in life and got involved with drugs. She had been to rehab a few times, but could not climb out of her addiction. None of us are perfect. I eat too many sweets. If she wasn't addicted to drugs, she could have had another addiction which could have done her in. She led a stressful life.

[kua]

03:36 PM on 03/25/2012

Judge the art, not the artist. Shame on you for your allowing self-righteousness to arise out of ignorance rather than diminishing the ignorance.

[Vicky Lupo McDonald]

02:51 PM on 03/23/2012

Very sad that as close and her daughter stated they were... even the love and presence of her daugher could not make her stop using cocaine, I think that in itself shows us yet again just how strong addiction is!

[viciousvirago]

10:21 AM on 03/23/2012

Both Russert and Farley were hugely obese, number one. And Ms. Houston exacerbated her problem with huge amounts of probably every illegal narcotic on earth. Couple that with Benadryl, Xanax, alcohol and I forgot what else was in her system, and you have a 'perfect storm' leading to drowning in a tub. How sad.

ONCE AGAIN: where did she get all the prescriptions? Why is it I cannot get the Percocet I so desperately need, but my internist won't prescribe it because he's afraid of the DEA coming down on him. And again: physicians give anything to people with money and fame. Witness Michael Jackson who had to take an o.r. anesthetic just to sleep. Why don't those docs lose their licenses?

[IamYourDrillThrall]

09:12 AM on 03/24/2012

If you truly have a medical need for Percocet, you shouldn't have a problem obtaining a prescription. As long as you don't have a drug problem, or past substance abuse issues, most doctor's will write a prescription. I know mine will.

These stars get their scripts from docs because they have MONEY. Look at Michael Jackson....how long he was coddled and enabled by guys who swore at oath to "first do no harm."

Flexeril is a common muscle relaxant, and is prescribed for pain. Benadryl is an OTC antihistamine that can be purchased virtually anywhere, from Walmart to dollar stores. Xanax is an anti-anxiety drug.

And weed, well, Whitney has always like the herb.

One thing folks keep overlooking: Whitney was a heavy cigarette smoker. Cocaine and cigarette use put a very heavy strain on the heart. In the past 3 years, she appears to have put on at least 40 pounds, which would have further deteriorated her health.

[viciousvirago]

09:21 AM on 03/24/2012

thank you for the explanations, but I'm an ex-trauma surgeon, so I knew that all. And it is not easy for me to get Percocet because of all the illegal trade going on. I know that I could get $l0/pill if I were a pusher. Being a surgeon apparently is not an 'in' with my internist. So, I just suffer.

Her weight gain was a GOOD thing, considering the cadave she had become whilst on crack. The combination of all those drugs killed her.

[artboi]

11:49 AM on 03/24/2012

With all those drugs she took, why wasn't one of them Lipitor?

[viciousvirago]

03:23 PM on 03/24/2012

I don't know if she was on Lipitor, but the chances of her system (meaning liver, because that's where it's metabolized) tolerating it would have been very slim indeed.

I once had a patient who was nearly DOA because this idiot had taken FIFTEEN drugs, some prescription, some illegal narcotics, some legal narcotics. I remember him distinctly because we pumped his stomach, gave him huge amounts of narcan and then he started vomiting blood. I had to open him up, find out where the bleeding was (stomach) and prevent him from dying. He lived and went on to o.d. anyway I heard later on.

Depressants and alcohol do not mix. Ms. Houston found that out the hard way.

[kua]

03:29 PM on 03/25/2012

Sounds like you're wishing she had died sooner. See http://bit.ly/A3PBZj

[Alvarask]

07:57 AM on 03/23/2012

I would like to know exactly in which way the coroner thinks that the atherosclerosis "contributed" to her drowning death.

It's also important to know that you can be about to die from atherosclerosis and have a perfectly normal ECG and blood tests, and that even when presenting with serious symptoms that indicate you are at risk there's a fair chance you'll be sent home. This is ESPECIALLY true if you are a woman, and I strongly suspect that this is why women have such a high death rate associated with first time heart attacks. I am not relying on the medical fraternity to help me avoid heart attack and stroke, because they are only interested in convincing me to eat a deadly diet and take deadly drugs. It's such a shame we really have no true providers of HEALTH advice.

[krocksix6]

08:53 AM on 03/23/2012

so is ultrasound the best way to go ? thanks for the input

[Alvarask]

12:49 AM on 03/24/2012

I have no idea how reliable ultrasound is. Most doctors will say that you need an angiogram to be sure, which is painful and dangerous. Also, lots of people die because they are NOT given angiograms as they have good ECG results.

[IamYourDrillThrall]

09:16 AM on 03/24/2012

The best way to keep your heart healthy is thru regular aerobic exercise and a diet that isn't too high in saturated fats. And a good way to see just what kind of shape your heart is in, it to measure your recovery rate (how long it takes your heart rate to come down after reaching target range for a minimum of 20 minutes.)

The heart is a muscle; it responds to regular work-outs. You can figure out your target heart rate by subtracting your age from 220, then figure 60-75% of THAT figure (depending on how out-of-shape you are to begin with.)

After getting your pulse into your target range and keeping it there for 20 minutes, you stop the exercise, walk normally, and after 2 minutes, take your pulse. If your heart rate hasn't dropped by at least 15 beats a minute, you are in poor shape. If your rate hasn't gone down by more than 12 beats, you need to see a doctor right away.

I'm not an MD, and none of the above should be construed as medical advice. Always see your physician before starting ANY exercise program...

[mzrecycle]

06:58 AM on 03/24/2012

The coroner's report said she died of a heart attack. Cocaine use damages the coronary arteries, which lead to atherosclerosis. Then all that is needed to cause death is another use of cocaine, which raises BP, heart rate. Then a portion of the heart muscle just dies. That's a heart attack.
With all the other drugs on board, she wouldn't likely be able respond to the symptoms. IF she even felt them. Women seldom have the classic heart attack symptoms.
Cocaine is different than other drugs used to get high or mellow. An addict can use a certain amount for time after time with no problem. Then an other time, that same amount can kill.

[IamYourDrillThrall]

09:41 AM on 03/24/2012

What you wrote is so true. A doctor once desribed it to me as: You can do drugs 100 times and nothing will happen. Or you can do them ONCE and die.

[stjohn123]

12:31 AM on 03/23/2012

Prolonged cocaine use/abuse will cause the arteries to narrow, which is this condition. Just thought I'd mention it as the article didn't.

[Fromageball]

09:27 AM on 03/23/2012

It did mention it as a contributing factor - cocaine use and atherosclerotic heart disease.

[Jen6408]

01:21 PM on 03/23/2012

What I think StJohn123 was getting at was that prolonged cocaine use and abuse will CAUSE the arteries to narrow and CAUSE the condition on its own. Meaning that Whitney probably caused the heart condition with her admitted cocaine abuse. It may not have been a hereditary issue or something she may have had otherwise. I think it's unfair for the article to leave this part out. People need to understand what drugs do to their bodies.

[SUES4U]

01:25 PM on 03/23/2012

Yes... It mentions cocaine and alcohol exacerbate the disease.... when in fact it causes it. ...stjohn123 is absolutely correct.