Thoughts
as to Cause of Death of Thom
(G.
D. Trimble 1/18/2015)
The cause of death appears to be related heart electrical problems
rather than artery blockage based on the fact that no angina pain
correllated with periods of exercise. Discomforts Thom expressed
were
that of "acid reflux", which can be identical to symptoms of
insufficient stomach acid. Since he tested for the insufficient
acid
condition extensively via the use of over-the-counter HCL tablets the
latter
possibility was eliminated.
Genetic heart problems have shown up in his father, grandmother
and
siblings, and great grandfather although not exactly the of the same
nature. His father had minor angina with severe exercise for
about 20
years before obtaining a quad bypass. One of his father's female
cousins passed away suddenly while driving at 35 years of age unlike an
arteriosclerosis senario. Thom had a large heart from long
distance
running and ventricular fibrillation is the family's first guess as to the cause.
The Contra Costa County Coronor immediately did an autopsy due to the
circumstance of his death without any ID and without immediate ability
to contact kin. The results of the autopsy may shed some light on
his
cause of death, which may be significant for family members and
possibly other runners.
This will be expanded on as information becomes available which may be
up to 4 weeks.