WE HEART SCHWARTZ
When business manager to the stars Jonathan Schwartz (of GSO) lost a lifelong friend to a heart attack in 2011, it was truly a wake-up call.
Lawrence Krutman was only 42, and his passing prompted Schwartz—who’d never had any health problems but had heart disease in his family history—to undergo a coronary CT angiogram for what he calls “peace of mind.” The expensive procedure found nearly 100% blockage in a large coronary artery.
Doctors told Schwartz he’d need a stent to fend off a potentially fatal heart attack; upon hearing this frightening news he decided to reboot his lifestyle entirely, changing his diet and fitness routine, exploring alternative medicine and educating himself in cardiac health. “I want to live a long and healthy life with my loving wife and three beautiful sons,” he says.
But Schwartz also did something a lot bigger than his own life: He founded the nonprofit HeartView Global Foundation. HGF is dedicated to catching heart disease in its “clinically silent” phase, providing vulnerable people with financial aid for exams and a chance to take preventative measures to prolong their lives.
The Foundation supports the work of Daniel S. Berman, M.D., Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging at Cedars-Sinai. HeartView’s Second Annual “Give for the Heart” dinner and auction takes place Sat., Feb. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, CA.
The gala will honor Diane Brinson (head of Momentous Insurance Brokerage) and Asher Kimchi, M.D., Director of the Preventive and Consultative Heart Center of Excellence at Cedars. The featured musical guest is Richard Marx, and comedian Greg Fitzsimmons will MC. Schwartz also promises a special guest.
Cocktails and a silent auction (for an array of goodies including highly covetable music and sports memorabilia) kick off at 6:30, with dinner, program and entertainment commencing at 8. Click the link above for more information.
"This is trying to encourage people to be proactive even if they don’t have symptoms. 50% of heart attacks are asymptomatic,” explains Schwartz. "I myself have gone plant-based and I’m training for an Iron Man [marathon] as a result. I feel healthier than I’ve ever felt by subscribing to this new way of life. It’s proven scientifically that eliminating animal protein can reverse and arrest coronary disease, as well as mitigate certain carcinogens, dementia, diabetes and so forth."
He acknowledges that making such changes isn't easy. "I was a huge meat lover; Mastro’s was my favorite place to dine," he admits. "But this was a reality check for me. Most people won’t make drastic changes, but even small changes can make a difference. You don’t have to go to extremes to be healthier, and that’s part of our message."
