Although he was vacationing in Hawaii, and being pampered by hotel staff, he
suffered an panic attack - which he mistook for a heart attack.
Unfortunately for him, Rush has refused to accept treatment for his very
treatable emotional disorder.
Instead of accepting the diagnosis of his mental defect, Rush held a press
conference to say that he had a muscle .spasm in one of his arteries.
Many people suffer panic disorders all their lives, and (like Rush) only
suffer such dramatic physical manifestations until they're the age he is
now.
Most, upon getting diagnosed, get treatment right away and get better.
Some few, like Rush, choose instead to deny their condition even after
repeated trips to the ER.
Without the help the help they need, the episodes grow in frequency and
severity until a full, mental break-down occurs - often in public.
In the past, Rush has self-medicated his condition with Heroin-like drugs.
However, since such junkies cannot stay perpetually high, it actually makes
the episodes worse because the emotional problems are compounded by drug
addiction and withdrawal..
Still, Rush insists (like so many other junkies) that he's clean and sober.
Riiiiiiight.