Chris Eilert

October 24, 2008 - 12:05pm

Doctor says Sarlo did not suffer a heart attack

By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

State Sen. Paul Sarlo did not suffer a heart attack, according to a statement released by his office

State Sen. Paul Sarlo suffered from a viral infection in his upper respiratory tract that caused difficulty breathing and a “transient irregular heartbeat” on Monday morning, according to a statement released by his doctor.

Sarlo was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center at 2a.m. Monday, complaining about shortness of breath and has been at the hospital since. The incident was initially described as a “cardiac emergency.”

But Sarlo’s cardiologist, Dr. Rick Pumill, said that there was no heart attack.

“Tests are now conclusive that Senator Sarlo did not suffer a heart attack,” said Pumill. “Senator Sarlo’s episode was caused by a viral infection which triggered a respiratory insufficiency and a subsequent transient irregular heartbeat. This is a rather common occurrence and will have no lasting effects on Senator Sarlo.”

Sarlo status update

By Matt Friedman, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter

State Sen. Paul Sarlo remains in the hospital, although he’s miffed that his chief of staff, Chris Eilert, took away his cell phone.

Eilert said that Sarlo, 40, is still undergoing tests. Doctors still don’t know what happened, he says, although Sarlo is “back to normal.”

“In terms of his functioning and personality-wise, he’s back to normal. He’s Paul -- he wants to run the world form his hospital bed,” said Eilert. “He just called me half an hour ago. He’s upset at me because I won’t give him his cell phone”

Sarlo was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center at approximately 2:00a.m. Monday morning after reporting difficulty breathing.