Bradley blames cream soda for latest heartbeat episodes
January 21, 2000
Web posted at: 4:22 p.m. EST (2122 GMT)
MUSCATINE, Iowa (CNN) -- Former Sen. Bill Bradley told reporters Friday his
latest bout with atrial fibrillation may have been caused by cream soda.
Bradley had been told by his doctor in 1996, when the irregular heartbeat
was first diagnosed, to give up caffeine.
"I changed what I drink on the road," he told reporters. "I had Gatorade,
orange soda, and I went to cream soda."
Only recently did he discover that the cream soda he was drinking
contained the stimulant. "When I shared this with the doctor, he thought maybe
this might have contributed to it," Bradley said.
On Thursday, Bradley told reporters he has had four episodes of irregular
heartbeat since December. He said none required medical treatment or interfered
with his campaign schedule.
Aides said Bradley would not curtail his campaign schedule in Iowa where
polls show he is trailing Vice President Al Gore.
At an appearance here, Bradley was asked about his health by a voter. "It's
a nuisance to me, but it shouldn't be a concern to you," Bradley said. He said
his condition would not affect his ability to carry out the duties of
president.
Rob Tully, Iowa Democratic Party chairman, told CNN he thought the
disclosure would not have much effect on Bradley's showing in Monday night's
caucuses.
"Quite frankly, we're so close to the caucuses, I don't think it's going
to make much difference. He's looking healthy. He says there isn't much to it,
so I anticipate he will have a rigorous campaign schedule this weekend and
we'll see what happens Monday night."
However, Tully said the health issue "could nag him down the road" as
Bradley campaigns in primaries in New Hampshire and other states.
The episodes occurred December 27 or 28, January 6, January 9 and January 16,
Bradley's staff said.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm in which muscle in the upper
chambers of the heart beat in a rapid, disorganized fashion.
Bradley, 56, a former college and pro basketball star, revealed the
condition December 10 when a recurrence caused him to cancel several campaign
events in California.
At that time, Bradley had been expected to undergo a "cardioversion" at a
local hospital to return his heart to a normal rhythm, but it returned to
normal rhythm on its own and did not require treatment.
According to a physician's letter released by the Bradley campaign in
December, the candidate's condition was first diagnosed in 1996 when he
underwent a cardioversion.
He underwent another two cardioversions in 1998 and has had none since.
Since 1998 he has been treated with a the prescription drug Procanbid to
prevent and shorten the duration of subsequent episodes.
People with the condition are more prone to blood clots that can lead to
strokes, doctors say. Atrial fibrillation is a condition shared by 2 million
Americans, including former President George Bush.
CNN's Jean Meserve,
Bob Franken and Bill Mears contributed to this article.
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