NBC photoTim Russert's personal physician spoke out for the first time since the NBC newsman's untimely death on Friday.
Dr. Michael Newman issued a statement revealing Russert's autopsy results, which showed that a heart attack took the life of the Meet the Press host.
"Russert, age 58, was known to have asymptomatic coronary artery disease, which resulted in hardening of his coronary arteries," Newman said.
A fresh clot ruptured in Russert's left anterior descending coronary artery, causing the fatal heart attack. The autopsy also revealed that NBC's Washington bureau chief had an enlarged heart, he said.
Despite his previously diagnosed health problems, Russert managed his coronary artery disease with medication and daily exercise, said Newman, and even used a treadmill the morning he died. Russert also passed a stress test on April 29.
"At a high level of exercise he had no symptoms," Newman said, adding that his blood pressure and cholesterol were "well controlled."