Doctor says Billy Mays' heart condition is common

Although the official cause of death is being withheld until complete autopsy results are available, TV pitchman Billy Mays' autopsy showed evidence that he had hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. They are common and associated conditions, said Chuck Lambert, medical director of the Pepin Heart Hospital in Tampa and a professor at the University of South Florida.

What is hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease?

Hypertensive means high blood pressure. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is characterized by a hardening and thickening of arterial walls. It can occur when fatty deposits harden inside arteries, and can be associated with calcification of arterial walls or the thickening of arteries due to chronic high blood pressure. You can have high blood pressure without having arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and vice-versa. He [Mays] had the two predominant kinds, and that's very common. They are associated conditions.

What are the causes of these conditions?

For hypertensive heart disease, a lot of it is genetic predisposition, but there are a variety of causes of high blood pressure; smoking, diabetes, high-cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Together, they can cause death by causing electrical instability or an abnormal heart rhythm. Arteriosclerotic disease can cause decreased oxygen flow to the heart, which can lead to a heart attack.

How common is it for a 50-year-old man to die from this disease?

It is not unusual, particularly if he had a family history of cardiovascular disease or some of the risk factors we discussed.

How common is this disease in men/women in general?

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women. Women tend to have fewer symptoms than men, but the disease is just as lethal.

Are there any tests to detect this disease? When should you have them performed?

For hypertensive heart disease, I recommend having your blood pressure checked regularly. For arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a stress test at age 50 -- earlier if there are multiple risk factors. Good information can be found on the American Heart Association's Web site, www.americanheart.org.