Tim Russert’s Death Provides Important Opportunity for News Media
To Increase Public Awareness of How To Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Media Commentator Matthew Felling to be Available for Interviews to Discuss his
Personal Experience with Heart Disease to Further Better Public Knowledge of Risks
Washington, DC, June 16, 2008 – The untimely death of NBC News executive Tim
Russert has placed the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at the forefront
of media coverage, dinner table conversations and physicians’ offices around the country.
To further public knowledge, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) is
making available for media interviews Matthew Felling – a media commentator and
frequent Washington, DC radio host – seen often on CNN and other major outlets. By all
appearances, 34-year-old Felling is the picture of health and fitness. Yet he has a
personal history of heart disease, procedures and arrhythmia which makes him all the
more aware of the risks of sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of preventative
health care and healthy lifestyle habits.
A seasoned media professional, Matthew is available to speak on-camera, in addition to
other broadcast and print reporters about his personal experience. This is an important
chance for the media to inform viewers and readers about the indicators that might put
them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest and how to best seek the appropriate medical
treatment.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) annually kills more than 300,000 Americans, and its death
rate exceeds that of breast cancer, lung cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. SCA has many
causes, but a history of heart disease is an important risk factor.
To schedule an interview, please call the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association at 202-719-
8909. In addition, media are encouraged to visit the following resources available on the
SCAA website at www.suddencardiacarrest.org, including:
SCAA Fact Sheet: Sudden cardiac arrest vs. Heart Attack:
http://209.235.212.198/content/resources/fact_sheet-sca_vs_heart_attack.pdf
SCA Risk Assessment:
http://209.235.212.198/content/resources/sca_risk_assessment.pdf
SCAA Fact Sheet: Automated External Defibrillators:
http://209.235.212.198/content/resources/fact_sheet-
automated_external_defibrillators.pdf
SCAA Fact Sheet: Ejection Fraction
http://209.235.212.198/content/resources/fact_sheet-ejection_fraction_number.pdf
1133 Connecticut Ave., NW • 11th Fl. • Washington, DC 20036 • Toll-Free: (866) 972-SCAA (7222) • Fax: (202) 719-8983 • info@suddencardiacarrest.org • www.suddencardiacarrest.org