Tim Russert’s death was unnerving news to a lot of people struggling with their weight, blood pressure and other high-risk factors for heart disease. Russert had recently passed a stress test and was on several medications to control his blood pressure, etc.

The New York Times tackles questions surrounding the difficulties of pin-pointing who’s at risk for having plaque break loose in their arteries causing a rupture and death. Read the story here.

This NY Times reporter who wrote the article stays on point, which is what journalists are taught to do. So it doesn’t mention the importance of prevention. A health fanatic friend of mine will beat me to a pulp with his cleated cycling shoes if I don’t mention that prevention is the best medicine and that it begins with a healthful diet and regular exercise at a young age, when arteries are still relatively clean.