Tim Russert's Death Provides Important Opportunity for News Media to Increase Public Awareness of How to Prevent Sudden Card...( Media Commentator Matthew Felling...),Health

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, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 http://www.suddencardiacarrest.org, including:

SCAA Fact Sheet: Sudden cardiac arrest vs. Heart Attack: