Alberto Salazar Hospitalized At Providence St. Vincent After Heart Event
June 30, 2007
Portland, Ore. —Alberto Salazar was on the Nike World campus on Saturday afternoon, June 30, when he collapsed about 12:30 p.m. There were trained medical professionals near him who immediately began treatment. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue responded from their station blocks away, provided emergency treatment on-site, and Salazar was then transported to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He was awake and alert when he came into the hospital.
Salazar is being treated by Providence Heart and Vascular Institute medical professionals, led by Dr. Todd Caulfield, an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Caulfield performed an interventional procedure, inserting a stent to open up an artery. Mr. Salazar did not have open-heart surgery. Additional tests are being conducted and evaluated, and until more information is available we would characterize this as a "heart event" - not a heart attack. At this time, Salazar is in the Cardiac Care Unit, which is normal in this type of situation. He is in serious condition. He is groggy, and has been visited by family.
The 48-year-old Salazar is a world-renowned marathoner, winner of three consecutive New York Marathons and a still celebrated 1982 Boston Marathon victory. Throughout his career he set six U.S. records and one world record. He is a longtime respected Nike employee and consultant who trains elite distance runners.
The family is requesting limited information be released by the hospital, and that all media inquiries be coordinated through Providence St. Vincent. The family asks for privacy at this time, including no media calls or contact, and no visits to their home. There will be no interviews by Dr. Caulfield or any other hospital officials tonight.This is the only information being released at this time.
NEWS MEDIA: Please send an email to lisa.helderop@providence.org. Include your media outlet, your name and the best email address and phone numbers for us to contact you with updated information. We will be sending updates via email.
Please assume that we will contact you if there is new information. Otherwise, the condition of Mr. Salazar and the situation remains as outlined above.
