Comment by sbov
9 years ago
If he had heart disease, it would make him more prone to slipping on ice. But because he slipped on ice (which perfectly healthy people do all the fucking time), does not mean he had heart disease, or was even in any other of the hundreds of conditions (some of which might speak to his health, others which might not such as being distracted by something) that might have made him more prone to slipping on ice.
So basically you've wandered into an "intro to critical thinking" level fallacy, which is especially ironic considering your last two sentences.
I'm not arguing the fall is proof of heart disease. That's a misreading of my comment.
Atkins is reported to have suffered cardiomyopathy -- a virally-induced form of heart disease -- by Dr. Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physicians Council:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/11/nyregion/just-what-killed-...
I'm somewhat familar with the particulars of the story and debate over Atkins' perceived or claimed health or disease, and the disagreements over both arguments. I'm not taking a particular side.
But (as I've just commented to another response to my parent remarks above): yes, sick, frail, diseased, elderly people are more prone to falls than those who are well, strong, healthly, and young. And those falls can be fatal.
Hence: heart disease can be a contributing factor to slipping on ice (or the resultant injuries and outcome).