Almost a month after the shocking death of rapper, hip-hop hype man and radio host Fatman Scoop, Connecticut’s state’s medical examiner’s office has released his official cause of death.
If you remember, the beloved hype-man collapsed at a concert in Connecticut and was rushed to the hospital. Footage shared by TMZ showed Scoop appearing to suffer a medical emergency and collapsing onstage mid-performance. In a subsequent Facebook post, Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed that Scoop “had a medical emergency onstage” and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
According to People magazine, the Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office announced on Wednesday (Sept. 25) that Scoop (born Isaac Freeman III) died due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with a determination that his death was natural and no foul play was involved.
What Did the Disease Do to Scoop’s Body?
Hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a condition that occurs when high blood pressure (hypertension) and atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) combine to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications:
Hypertension
High blood pressure can damage the lining of arteries, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis. This can lead to heart and blood vessel damage over time.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of arteries, which can narrow or block the arteries and reduce blood flow. Atherosclerosis can start in childhood and slowly worsen.
Other risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
High cholesterol, High triglycerides, Smoking, Diabetes, Obesity, and Inflammation.
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Signs & Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Chest Pain
Chest pain can also be a sign of anything from muscle strain to a heart attack. If you’re experiencing a chest pain you cannot explain, it may be a symptom of atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries. Complications that arise with a narrowing of these arteries include coronary artery disease and heart attack. It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing chest pain of any kind.
Confusion
Narrowing of the carotid arteries can lead to sudden confusion and disorientation. This altered level of consciousness can be distressing if you’re aware of it. Memory problems can also sometimes occur alongside confusion which, in their extreme state, are known as delirium. The individual may also appear slower than usual. These symptoms could be a sign of anything from anxiety to a brain tumor or atherosclerosis.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness can affect the face, the body, or both at the same time. If muscle weakness appears in the face, it may cause drooping of the eyelid or ptosis, or difficulty smiling. On the other hand, when the muscle weakness is all over the body, it can be hard to distinguish from fatigue, which can come from mental ailments such as anxiety and depression, or physical ailments such as an imbalance in the body. General muscle weakness is also an early sign of atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries.
Trouble Speaking
Trouble speaking or forming words generally denotes a problem in the brain. Doctors are not always able to diagnose atherosclerosis before the stroke occurs. Difficulty forming words, as well as a possible change in character, could be a direct result of atherosclerosis in the cartoid arteries. If someone is exhibiting slurred speech or cannot think of simple words, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Treatments for hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease include:
- Medications to lower cholesterol, such as statins
- Quitting smoking
- Losing weight
- Exercising
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
Atherosclerosis and hypertension are distinct disease entities; everyone who has hypertension does not manifest extensive atherosclerosis, nor is atherosclerosis always or even usually accompanied by hypertension.
Hypertensive vascular disease involves both large and small arteries as well as arterioles and is characterized by fibromuscular thickening of the intima and media with luminal narrowing of the small arteries and arterioles. The physical stress of hypertension on the arterial wall also results in the aggravation and acceleration of atherosclerosis, particularly of the coronary and cerebral vessels. Other major complications of hypertensive vascular disease include rupture and thrombotic occlusion of blood vessels, especially in the brain.
Family, Friends, and Fans are Still Mourning His Death
In a statement following his death, Scoop’s booking agency MN2S said it was “heartbroken” by his sudden passing.
“Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe,” the agency said at the time. “His iconic voice, infectious energy and great personality made an indelible mark on the industry, and his legacy will live on through his timeless music.”
Freeman’s peers, friends and family gathered near the Harlem projects where he was raised at the Apollo Theater on Sept. 12 for a celebration of life ceremony hosted by SiriusXM’s Sway Calloway, with Teddy Riley, Jim Jones, A$AP Ferg, Busta Rhymes, Kid Kapri, LL Cool J and Angie Martinez among those paying tribute.
His family cherished him as “the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage,” his relatives said.
“His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity,” his family members said. “His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”
