Grant Wahl died of aortic aneurysm
Looks like soccer reporter Grant Wahl died of an aortic aneurysm, according to an autopsy done in New York. This should put to rest any conspiracy theories.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/14/us/grant-wahl-cause-death/index.html
His wife, Dr Celine Gounder said this has likely been brewing for years. It also explains the chest pressure he has been experiencing.
After Mike Leach, second great person this week to die of a coronary event.
Please get checked out by a cardiologist if you're over 40. I say this as someone who lost their dad early from coronary disease.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
absolutely.... Grandfather died of a heart attack at the ripe age of 49 years old.... my father had his first heart attack at 49 years old.... Dad turned 91 in October. Modern medicine is amazing!
Getting an annual checkup, complete with blood work, is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
You dad is also lucky--mine too, survived a heart attack in his 40s and stroke in his 60s. Was actually just having that discussion with him after he brought up Leach, how lucky he was that he survived. Even today, heart attacks (and strokes) are very survivable, but not always. A few minutes may have been the difference for Leach. For my dad, we're incredibly lucky that my sister was home when he had the stroke. Had he been alone, I can all but guarantee he wouldn't have survived...
December 14th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
From a doctor to MGoBloggers: take your blood pressure seriously, even in middle age. It's a silent killer and a continuous strain on your arteries if left unchecked.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
Yeahhhhh this is definitely not gonna put to rest any conspiracy theories.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:53 AM ^
Yup. Conspiracy theory nuts aren't right in the head. What a well-adjusted person would consider a thorough debunking is only indication to a conspiracy nut that the tentacles of deceit reach more extensively than they'd thought.
Aortic aneurysm? Autopsy? This only means the coroner is in on it!
December 14th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
They used super secret poison that masks itself and manifests as an aortic aneurysm in an autopsy!!!
December 14th, 2022 at 6:02 PM ^
No man the Qataris have reach. They worked with the Russians to get dirt on the coroner here in America. It was a coverup. The investigation will prove this in good time.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
Clearly nanobot technology like in the last James Bond movie.
December 14th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
Yep, the nanobots in the Covid vaccine.
December 14th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
I don't want to feed the conspiracy, but I believe that the poster is referring to the conspiracy that a "certain something" is weakening hearts across the world right now.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
If I was making a list of causes of sudden death that would put to rest conspiracy theories this would be in the top 2 and it's not number 2.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
Why not? Have the Qatarians invented a time machine that allowed them to teleport back into Grant's past and implant a genetic condition that would lead to this terrible event because short of that I'm not sure how someone could blame them for this happening.
He was quite sick and had a very hard, wet cough in the days leading up to his untimely passing. And unfortunately coughing is VERY dangerous when a person has his particular heart condition.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
There will always be a few nuts out there, but I don't get the feeling this one is going to end up in a full blown conspiracy. I think a lot was drawn by initial reaction of his brother who said he was murdered (with no evidence). It's a natural reaction to want some big, grand, explination for some big impactful event like a loved one passing unexpectedly. The answer of 'he was the exception to the rule of general cardiac and vascular health' does not feel like the grand answer that people often want. This is a common theme on how conspiracy theories get started.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
People make it like he was the only person to complain about Qatar....literally everyone has been shitting on them.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
yea, the <<insert bad guy of choice>> weakened his heart vessel years ago, so that he'd slowly build up an aneurysm over a decade, so that he'd die in Qatar because they knew he'd wear a rainbow shirt to the World Cup 10 years in the future.
makes sense ....
December 14th, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^
Since you're a doc and a couple of people have mentioned testing in this thread, how does one go about that?
I'm middle aged, fit, but heart disease is a thing in the family.
Is it as simple as calling up a cardiologist and say give me a 60,000 mile check up so I know if I'm going to have aortic aneurysm which leads to a heart attack or something?
December 14th, 2022 at 10:31 AM ^
Yes, it's that simple. When I turned 40, I went to a recommended cardiologist since my dad died at 69 after having two bypass surgeries and a stent. This over a period of 17 years. Three of my 4 grandparents died of a stroke too, but all in their late 80s-90.
While I'm relatively fit, cardiovascular disease can affect everyone. You don't have to be fat. I visit my cardiologist every 6 months.
They did a CT scan and gave me a calcium score which can show previous plaque buildup in the arteries. Also started me on a statin as a preventative measure, even though my lipids are not high.
We are all going to die of something (sorry for the spoiler), but avoiding cardiovascular disease, with some exceptions, is somewhat preventable these days.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:48 AM ^
Also started me on a statin as a preventative measure, even though my lipids are not high.
If this gets too personal please accept my apologies in advance (not my intent) and ignore replying...
... but if your lipids aren't high, why go on the statin given their dangers. Not trying to be glib about it but isn't that just trading the liver for the heart?
December 14th, 2022 at 11:03 AM ^
Good question. Plaque buildup happens over years in the coronary (heart attack) and carotid (stroke) arteries. While at that time my lipids looked ok, the statin is preventative for future events. Doesn't take a ton of plaque to cause an event.
And regarding your point about liver issues from statins, I showed no liver issues on testing. While some statins can cause issues with the liver, brain fog and some muscle pain, finding the right dosage and statin (there are various ones) are important. The medicine has been shown in studies to be pretty safe. Considering my family history, I'll take my chances.
I served on the Board of our region's American Heart Association. The research is so conclusive that statins are beneficial that a few doctors proposed adding them to local water supplies. This of course was widely panned, rightfully so, since people freak out just by adding fluoride to the water.
But statins have definitely saved millions of lives worldwide over the years.
December 14th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
+1
Thanks!
December 14th, 2022 at 11:10 AM ^
I have a similar family history - both father and grandfather had heart attacks at 59, great uncles and great grandfather died of them in their early 50's. One at 46. My doc tested my cholesterol when I was in my 20's and it was slightly elevated and the ratio wasn't great. I tried to get it down with diet and exercise (I was super active, a runner, etc) but nothing helped so I went on a statin at age 29. My numbers were great after that. I went to see a cardiologist when I was 53 just to check in. He did the calcium score and then tested me for a genetic type of cholesterol known for contributing to early cardiac events. I tested positive for it (likely the thing that runs in my family and caused all those early heart attacks). It's called Lipoprotein a. You can't get rid of it with diet or exercise and it can't be directly controlled with meds but it's attached to LDL (the bad cholesterol) so the doc changed my statin to one that's better at lowering LDL. My father harped on me about it when I was young and I've been eating a heart healthy diet since. To your question about the liver, mine is fine, no issues. And I've been taking the statin for almost 30 years.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Yes, you've absolutely got it right. Calcium scores, lipids, and genetics. It's revealed in family genetics along with wrongly skewed LDL/HDL ratios plus elevated triglycerides. And no amount of jogging, lifting, or diet will get the numbers to look good. Targeted statins, the right ones, are the only current answer.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:14 AM ^
Statins don't really hurt the liver, and liver function can be checked periodically anyway. However, statins DO show some protection from cardiovascular events outside of the cholesterol lowering function. Source: am a physician who sees a cardiologist for high cholesterol.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:37 AM ^
usually start with visit to primary care doctor. relay your concerns. your doctor SHOULD listen to you and as long as your willing to pay for it (aside what insurance will cover) the gold standard diagnosis or test is to have a cardio team do an ultrasound. if it seems like there is a spot that may be enlarged, they'll often have you come back in a few months and redo the ultrasound and measure that spot and see if it is getting bigger.
problem is insurance may not cover it if it is requested vs deemed "needed for further diagnosis"
the problem with an aneurysm is that it really doesn't have a lot of symptoms that make people think "hey, something is really wrong here"
December 14th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
Thanks you two!
December 14th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
no problem. my wife's family has a history of heart disease (father had his first heart attack at 39 and had multiple bypass surgeries and almost all of her siblings have heart issues)
she did this for piece of mind. went in and chatted with our doctor, had her set up a cardio appointment. did an ultrasound and now gets one yearly.
December 14th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Specifically for aortic aneurysms, I did have my aorta measured via ultrasound and it was enlarged (dilated) and brought to my attention. If I remember correctly, my UM doc told me that a normal aorta root is 30-35mm dia, mine was 39mm, and once it gets in hi-40's or so it is becoming critical. Apparently there are surgeries to splice in a new artificial portion of the aorta. Blood pressure control is paramount to limit dilation.
December 14th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
Thanks!
December 14th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
Yes, by all means, make cardiac health a priority (says old guy). Track your lipids, know your family history, take as good care of your heart as you care for your favorite friend/partner/possession. And, yes, your GP will surely refer you to a cardiologist for an annual EKG if circumstances warrant.
When that grenade goes off in your chest, you waited too long - and it hurts more than you can imagine (or even survive).
- end public service announcement
December 14th, 2022 at 10:03 AM ^
My uncle died of an ascending aortic aneurysm quite young too. Around 50 I believe. I don't know how healthy he was exactly, but he wasn't overweight.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
my father in law passed away from a triple A Memorial Day weekend of 2021. he was at my house watching our youngest and started having chest pains and got back into the house (but left his cell phone on the front porch), he was laying on the floor trying to get Alexa to call 911 and it wouldn't do it. my other kids got home from school before my wife and i got home and my oldest son found him laying on the floor. him and his sister tried to dial 911 from him cell phone but couldn't unlock it (stupid iphones)... they ran outside and got our neighbor who called 911. We thought that he had a stroke at first, but when he got to the first hospital the doctors told my wife and mother in law that he had to get to U of M ASAP! he was air lifted to U of M and the doctors there said that everything was much worse than they were originally led to believe and said that there was 3% chance that he gets off of the table if they do the surgery and if he did pull through he was going to lose his left leg. my mother in law made that toughest decision of her life and decided to let nature take its course...
i had to keep my kids in the dark for over 24 hours about what was going on... and when we finally told them it might have been the hardest thing to ever do.
the crappiest part of it all, was he was scheduled to go in for surgery 2 weeks later to have the aneurysm taken care of...
December 14th, 2022 at 10:15 AM ^
It should very much put to rest those conspiracy theories. Tremendously sad for his family and the sporting world at large. I am a tinge surprised that it may not have been detected a bit earlier. Granted, having a terminal event like that lends itself to 20/20 hindsight, but he certainly seemed to have features consistent with risk factors.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
Had no idea there was a connection between Marfan Syndrome and aortic aneurysms and other heart ailments.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:54 AM ^
Wow!!
You deserve to brag. Nice diagnosis, doc.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
SanDiegoWolverine, where are you? Please explain how the secret Quatari agents planted a blood clot in his brain.
I’ll wait. I’m still waiting for you to mention the clear and obvious information in the original story about how he wasn’t feeling well.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
More like a aortic murderysm.
-Conspiracy Theorists
December 14th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
That answers the questions, and his wife is exceptionally gracious to explain things in a statement during what is surely the hardest moment of her life.
Very sad. We do not know how long we have.
December 14th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
An awful death and a loss for the sport. Condolences for his family.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
Ok. I debated posting this, but here it goes. I had my co-worker die of this very thing at the age of 34. It was so sad. His parents believe this was caused by the COVID vaccination, of which he received a couple days before he died. And apparently some medical professionals agree that it is not totally out of the realm of possibility. It does cause inflammation of the heart in some people, which could further cause other heart issues like a dissection.
I’m very my pro-vax. I’m vaxxed to the max, so this is not an anti-vax service announcement.
I’m curious if Grant received a booster shot before he went to Qatar.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
Could be, but doubtful. In fact, to me, it's the other way around. COVID has an effect on blood vessels and the cardiovascular system that we don't completely understand yet. A number of people have had asymptomatic COVID.
In fact, after I got COVID, my blood pressure went up a lot. Never had a problem before. Could be a coincidence, but I have a belief that it could be related.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^
Highly unlikely and the timing doesn't make sense. Aortic aneurysms for most people develop over a longer period of time. If anything, like the poster below mentions, it was COVID that triggered the whole thing not the vaccine. And a booster right before leaving wouldn't have created the aneurysm or caused its rupture. Probably the travel, long nights, hard work, caffeine, etc. Not his fault and very unfortunate but highly highly unlikely to be related to a vaccine.
December 14th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
I know you wanted to present a fair and nuanced take. But who cares what "his parents" believed. They have no expertise. If his treating physician suggested it as a cause that might-and I mean only might- be noteworthy.
December 14th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^
Yea, who gives a shit about what grieving parents think. Fuck them! Grant's wife too! Fuck her! She has no expertise either!
/s
I can tell you from professional experience, every single drug and vaccine presents a particular risk to the population. There is no such thing as a risk-free therapeutic/vaccine. That goes for OTC drugs as well. Think of what happened when Tylenol was first launched. All good, right? No! Look up Tylenol and thalidomide and how it caused birth defects. This was not something caught during clinical development. No matter what drug/therapeutic/vaccine launched, there is still things to be learned. The COVID vaccine is no different. Let the learning process happen.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
FWIW if you check out his extensive Twitter feed he was fully and proudly vaxxed and boosted.
Unlike many on here that are pro-vax, you’re awake. Keep your eyes fully open, and buckle up.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:19 AM ^
Conspiracy or not, all cause mortality, especially cardio, is off the charts ever since the gene mod shot.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
Source?
December 14th, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^
Karen on facebook
December 15th, 2022 at 12:14 AM ^
If you’re actually serious about needing a source I’ll provide you a year’s worth of reading. The plethora of peer reviewed studies aren’t hard to find. Most are coming out of Europe where they are actually reimbursing people who are vax injured, unlike here in the US where our lobbyist paid legislators made that an impossibility. The question is, will facing truth change your mind?
December 15th, 2022 at 9:21 AM ^
I’m extremely serious. I think it’s both fascinating and important to understand how people process health/medical/science information. I’m hoping that my BS in microbiology and mph in molecular epidemiology from Michigan have equipped me to digest the sources you provide. Looking forward to reading and hoping that your sources are well informed and peer reviewed as you assert, though what I’m anticipating are fringe Facebook posts.