Ed Koch's Battle With Congestive Heart Failure

The death of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch ­ the brash, colorful figure who came to symbolize the city itself ­ was a textbook case of the slow but tragic progression of heart disease, which led to the congestive heart failure that ultimately killed him, a top cardiologist tells Newsmax Health.

“Ed Koch was an example of the aggressive nature of heart disease, which marched on until it finally caused his passing,” said Chauncey Crandall, M.D., head of preventive medicine and cardiology services at the world-renowned Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach, Fla.

The three-term mayor known for his irascible nature died Feb. 1 of the common condition. Some 6 million people in the U.S. now have congestive heart failure, which kills an estimated 53,000 each year.

“Too often, people think of coronary heart disease solely as a disease that solely affects the blood vessels of the heart. But Ed Koch’s story demonstrates the damage it can cause to the entire body,” Dr. Crandall noted.