(LifeWire) - The June 2008 death of comedian George Carlin, famous for his "Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV" routine, leaves us with some words of wisdom: Drugs and alcohol can damage your heart.
The 71-year-old Carlin, who openly discussed his years of substance abuse, died of congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the body, depriving it of oxygen.
According to his website, GeorgeCarlin.com, the comedian had three heart attacks (in 1978, 1982 and 1991) and twice underwent angioplasty, a procedure that reopens narrowed arteries.
In the same timeline, Carlin wrote of the period from 1972 to 1975: "Developing a really nice cocaine habit.'' And on Oct. 11, 1975: "Hosted the very first broadcast of 'Saturday Night Live.' Loaded on cocaine all week long.''
After cutting back on cocaine on his own, Carlin entered a rehabilitation facility in 2004 for addiction to alcohol and the prescription painkiller Vicodin (acetaminophen and hydrocodone.) A year later, he told The New York Times he'd kicked his habits and had no relapses: "There is no urge, no feeling, no pull or anything.''
But substance abuse can have longlasting effects on the heart:
Cocaine: Can cause fatal arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), endocarditis (inflammation of the heart's inner lining), vascular thrombosis (buildup of fluid in the lungs) and dilated cardiomyopthy (enlarged heart).
Alcohol: Too much raises triglycerides (fat in the blood), increases blood pressure and can cause cardiomypoathy and arrhythmia.
Vicodin: Can cause respiratory arrest, which can lead to cardiac arrest (sudden loss of heart function).
For the 17 years following his last heart attack, Carlin maintained a full schedule and performed in Las Vegas the weekend before his death. On Sunday, June 22, he went to St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, complaining of chest pains, and died a few hours later.
"There's a reluctance to confront reality and a desire to soften unpleasant realities," Carlin is quoted as saying by CNN. Carlin's willingness to talk about the reality of his addictions allows his life to serve as a cautionary tale to others.
Sources:
"Alcohol, Wine and Cardiovascular Disease." americanheart.org. 2008. American Heart Association. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4422>.
"Award-Winning Comedian George Carlin Dies." cnn.com. 23 Jun. 2008. CNN News. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/06/23/carlin.obit/index.html>.
"Cardiac Arrest." americanheart.org. 2008. American Heart Association. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4481>.
"Cocaine, Marijuana and Other Drugs." americanheart.org. 2008. American Heart Association. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4552>.
"Congestive Heart Failure." americanheart.org. 2008. American Heart Association. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585>.
Goodman, Dean. "George Carlin Dies at Age 71." uk.reuters.com. 23 Jun. 2008. Reuters . 17 Nov 2008 <http://uk.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUKN2339172520080623>.
Steinberg. Jaques. "Refusing to Coast on 7 Infamous Words ," New York Times 4 Nov. 2005. New York Times. 19 Nov. 2008 <http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/04/arts/television/04carl.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1>
"Timeline." georgecarlin.com. 2008. George Carlin. 17 Nov. 2008 <http://www.georgecarlin.com/home/home.html>.
Watkins. Mel, et al. "George Carlin, Comic Who Chafed at Society and Its Constraints, Dies at 71 ," New York Times 4 Nov. 2005. New York Times. 19 Nov. 2008 <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/arts/24carlin.html>.
