Elvis Presley

[MichaelJH]

Elvis Presley, known as the "King of Rock and Roll", died today in 1977, aged 44, of a heart attack caused by cardio vascular disease. Would he have survived today?

So a fellow heartie, and to me and many others a fellow diabetic (Type II).

[PeterpPiper]

I think he would have survived today but only if he had sought medical advice, he had personal hairdresser etc but apparently no personal medic … but a personal medic didn’t do Michael Jackson any good did it .. RIP to both of em

[Goldfish7 in reply to PeterpPiper]

He did have a personal medic apparently, whos name escapes me who many felt over 'medicated' him contributing to his death. Often mentioned in the same breath as other superstars medics who are felt to have provided questionable meds to their patients contributing to or causing their deaths.

[Hidden]

Possibly, I’m sure if he had a full work-up, tests etc and had advice from a professional medical team highlighting the necessary lifestyle changes needed. I know for me caring for my heart is ‘always on my mind’ 😀

[Chappychap]

Excellent question Michael!

In the UK deaths from heart attacks have virtually halved from the 1970's to today. The biggest single reason is probably the massive decline in both smoking and passive smoking, back in the 70's 45% of people smoked, today it's down to about 15%. Was Elvis a smoker?

Would medical advances have saved Elvis? Stents and medication would certainly have helped, but it's interesting that they're all fairly old now (most of our atherosclorosis meds were patented in the 70's or earlier, and even self eluting stents were well established by last century) where as the trend line for the decline in heart attack deaths has continued right up until the present, which suggests that the fall in smoking is indeed the main driver.

Another interesting Elvis related observation, even though the decline in heart attack deaths has been a wonderful achievement, there's now some evidence that the trend may be turning up again. The most likely cause is the growing obesity epidemic. Britain is the fattest country in western Europe and catching up with the US, so perhaps the older "fat Elvis" wouldn't have been safer today after all?

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Chappychap]

Yes Elvis was a smoker, he smoked a packet of cigarettes a day, and at some point moved on to smoking small cigars. Certainly in the early 70s he was frequently photographed with a cigar in hand

[Sunnie2day]

Then or now - if he'd sought proper medical attention and then followed the advice to the letter, he'd still be thrilling fans with his music. Of all the stars of his 'era', Elvis was the one who adapted (mostly) to changing audiences taste. Had he lived I think he'd still be filling concert halls.

But he didn't seek proper medical care and it's questionable if he would have then changed his lifestyle sufficiently to help his heart had he bothered to get to a qualified cardiologist. I was a fan but I'm also a realist - Elvis cheated himself and his fans by not availing himself of good medical care - care that was available at the time that would have given him a very real chance of survival. Yes, there have been some amazing advances in cardiac care but even then cardiac care for his conditions was excellent and had he listened to his body and got proper attention (and then stuck to the regime), he would have had a very good prognosis.

Sorry to sound anti-Elvis but I'm fed up with people who refuse to make the needed changes and follow qualified medical advice.

To me it is precisely the same as an alcoholic being told by his medic he must stop drinking - and goes straight to the pub from the consultant's exam room. Exactly the very same.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Elvis died on my wedding anniversary. We'd gone to a lovely country pub/restaurant for a drink and a meal. Sitting there with a drink in the lounge when the owner came out and said "I've got some bad news, they're just announced that Elvis Presley has died" To which I replied, "oh that's a shame, but not really a fan". Then the owner replied "The problem is that Hans our German chef is a massive fan, and having heard this news he's walked out crying and totally inconsolable, I'm afraid the kitchen is closed" So I agree with the other comments, if he had sought medical advice, he might even have been alive today, and we'd have got our meal that evening.

[Chappychap in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Great story!

[Lucymoo]

Don’t you think his drug abuse also helped and his lifestyle?

[Ruby300]

I don’t think so I watch program the other day he was taking about 14 tablets one to make him sleep one to wake him him etc took to many plus his lifestyle real shame one will never know if he would survive today

[Hidden]

I think he would have had a better chance but who knows if he’d have listened to his body and got help. I really doubt that of Elvis.

Mick Jagger on the other hand had an AVR by (TAVR) at the age of 75. He was back on stage within 12 weeks.

❤️ Elvis RIP

❤️ Jagger and long may he rock!

[Smileyian]

At

[Smileyian]

At 77 yo, I was a huge Elvis fan and in 1977 I still lived in UK. Just bought a new house and was supervising the Lawn Turf laying when I heard the news of his death. Tragic !!! However, I along with many others believe his Heart Attack was more connected to drugs and the myriad of uppers and downers he was on to try to fulfil his Las Vegas contracts. Sadly he had to endure that terrible guy Parker who virtually owned him.