American Politics Journal -- Bradley's Heart Condition



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A Second Opinion on Bill Bradley
by Dr. Robert George and The Editors

Feb. 1, 2000 -- NEW YORK -- We love and respect Bill Bradley as a person, but we feel he should disqualify himself from the Democratic Presidential Primary race because his physical condition coupled with the stress of this race could result in severe hardship for himself and his wife Ernestine.

Below is the result of our own investigation into Senator Bradley's heart condition. Dr. Robert George is a respected physician and indicates that it is possible that Bill Bradley may be a Class Three permanent disability patient -- which is tantamount to a 30-49% impairment of the whole person:

"With all due respect for the credentials of the three cardiologists who have spoken on Senator Bradley's behalf, what we have heard from them sounds like mostly opinion and little fact. Here are some facts to consider.
"Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a heart condition characterized by irregular beating (fibrillation) of the atria (upper heart chambers) occurring in paroxysms (episodes).
"PAF may occur in a structurally normal heart or in a heart with underlying structural abnormality. In a structurally normal heart PAF is not serious, except for the time and trouble involved with stopping the episodes. When there is a structural abnormality (mitral valve stenosis, atrial septal defect, hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial injury) PAF becomes as serious as the underlying structural abnormality.
"We must assume that Senator Bradley has had thorough diagnostic testing (ECG, echocardiography, electrophysiologic testing, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography) to rule in or out structural abnormality. Since he has not been forthcoming about the results of these diagnostics, we are in the dark about the presence or absence of structural abnormality and thus we are in the dark about the seriousness of his condition.
"Episodes of PAF may last a few hours to days. They may cause symptoms of palpitation, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, light headedness, fainting, chest heaviness, shortness of breath, or some combination of these. Some episodes stop spontaneously, some are stopped with oral or IV medications, some require cardioversion--an electric shock to the heart while the patient is under anesthesia. A nuisance, to say the least.
"Episodes of PAF are likely to become more frequent during periods of increased mental/emotional or physical stress. This seems to be the escalating nature of a political campaign from primaries to the general election. Consider the responsibility of carrying out the duties of the leader of the most powerful country in the world.

"Finally, we suggest referring to the authoritative text used in evaluating patients for impairment and occupational disability -- Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment of the American Medical Association. Perusal of table 12, Page 6/195 would seem to place Senator Bradley in Class 3. 'Patient has symptoms despite use of dietary therapy or drugs or of an artificial pacemaker, and a cardiac arrhythmia is documented with ECG; And Patient is able to lead an active life and symptoms due to arrhythmia are limited to infrequent palpitations and episodes of light headedness, or other symptoms of temporarily inadequate cardiac output.' Class 3 is equivalent to '30% to 49% impairment of the Whole Person.'

"To summarize:

"(1) Senator Bradley thus far has not been forthcoming with the medical records we need to evaluate the seriousness of his heart condition.

"(2) His episodes, however long in duration, may definitely cause symptoms that impair thought processes.

"(3) We know that he has had at least three stubborn episodes that have required cardioversion.

"(4) We know that his episodes are already becoming more frequent at this relatively early stage in this political campaign.

"(5) A 30% to 49% impaired person seems hardly an ideal candidate for President of the United States. We might question the wisdom of Senator Bradley's medical advisors in allowing him to continue in this strenuous political campaign."

-- Robert A. George, M.D.
Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine ( since 1956 )

Whether Bill Bradley is brave and stubborn is not the question. We would rather have him alive and well than lying in a hospital bed -- or worse.

Bill, get a team of cardiologists together and ask them these questions:

1. Can I, with certainty, survive the unequalled mental and physical stress that is a presidential campaign?

2. Will I, if elected, be able to survive one the most demanding and stress filled job on earth -- the President of the United States?

Dr. Robert George is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (1951) and a Board Certified Diplomate in Internal Medicine (1956). He has been in private practice for 45 years in the field of internal medicine. He is a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a Certified Member of the Disability Evaluators Panel.