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<p>The thing I didn’t like was that he always seemed to be shouting. I can’t stand to be shouted at, especially nonstop shouting. I’m sorry he has died though. Very tragic for his family.</p>
<p>I was digging in my garden all day long… No media exposure of any sorts… Wow, what is foing on?</p>
<p>Of course, his shouting was annoying, but it was a very efficient and effective method to get the product into the consumers’ heads. And he was pitching a good product. Oxyclean ROCKS.</p>
<p>RIP, Billy.</p>
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<p>People die all the time. We’ve just never heard of them.</p>
<p>A friend said Billy Mays should have “But wait there’s more” written on his epitaph.</p>
<p>I’m for not being “shouted” at too, but he was definitely loving what he was doing.</p>
<p>My kids obviously watch a lot more TV than I do. The name was unfamiliar to me, but as soon as they heard it, they launched into an imitation of his commercials.</p>
<p>Hillsborough County has released some info on the autopsy. No head trauma. He had atherosclerotic heart disease and known hypertension–both risk factors for sudden cardiac death-- and they suggest this was likely the cause. He actually was scheduled this week for his third hip replacement surgery. He had hip pain, has some pain meds for this, and the pill count in the bottles all appropriate, with no sign of inappropriate use. </p>
<p>Sad. But, he is upstairs, saying “Billy Mays here, for HEAVEN,” instead of “Billy Mays here, for Oxyclearn.”</p>
<p>They are saying on TV that the autopsy showed heart attack. Like I said on the Michael Jackson thread, it’s not all that unusual for men in their 50s to die from heart attacks. It happens every day. Pop stars and TV pitchmen are not exempt.</p>
<p>I couldn’t care less about Farrah or Michael, but I’m having trouble adjusting to the post-Billy Mays world.</p>
<p>My 2 teenage sons were shocked to hear this news. In their worlds Billy Mays was more “relevant” (not sure if this is correct word) than Ed Mc, Farah or MJ.
Was anyone else surprised (and reminded of their age) by a similar experience?</p>
<p>My teenage sons had the same reaction, as did my husband. And even after they explained to me who he was I could just barely remember ever seeing his face. I am SO out-of-touch :-).</p>
<p>ELY, I actually felt the same way. I had seen a few episodes of The Pitchmen. I really liked Billy as a person. He was always happy. I think when people have a positive energy it cuts a little deeper. The only celebrity death to really, really break me down was Steve Irwin. I cried for days and I never even watched his shows. But something about it really upset me and I think it was because he was so positive and full of life. I think the Billy Mays effect is the same situation. Love him or hate him you have to admit he was a happy guy who was having a great time.</p>
<p>Autopsy revealed cocaine use contributed to his death:
[Entertainment</a> | Autopsy: Cocaine contributed to Billy Mays’ death | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009619810_apusbillymays.html?cmpid=2628]Entertainment”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2009619810_apusbillymays.html?cmpid=2628)
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<p>Honestly he always appeared a little too “enthusiastic” to me.</p>
<p>it gave him that extra pep</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^</p>
<p>Yeah, makes sense now.</p>
<p>Hard to believe cocaine would have such an affect on someone’s heart several days after last use. How long does that stuff stay in one’s system, and in what ways might it contribute to a heart attack?</p>
<p>He had probably been doing it many many years and prolonged use damaged his heart.</p>
<p>Cocaine is a well known cause of heart problems. Cocaine is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Use can lead to a heart attack, it can cause spasm of the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood, and it, in fact, can cause sudden death. Cocaine is a major problem for people who are at risk for coronary artery disease – and even a person who is perfectly healthy and has a perfectly normal heart can have a premature heart attack directly from cocaine. Cocaine causes an intense increase in the sympathetic nervous system, which causes release of adrenaline and causes a major stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system. Chronic use has been implicated in heart failure and cardiomyopathy.</p>
<p>Wow, sunnyflorida, I had no idea! It’s apparently much more dangerous than most people know. I have to say I was surprised to hear that Billy was a user, being a middle aged man and all. I guess you just never know…</p>
<p>I’m sure that waistline didn’t help either.</p>