A Los Angeles meteorologist needed urgent medical help after collapsing during a morning newscast.
Alissa Carlson Schwartz was about to start her weather forecast on CBS Los Angeles at 7:00AM on March 16, 2023, when the color suddenly drained from her face.
In a video shared on social media, co-anchors Nichelle Medina and Rachel Kim can be seen ushering in the weather segment before the camera cuts to the weather presenter.
As Medina tells the audience that it’s the “calm before the storm,” Schwartz’s eyes begin to roll back in her head as she attempts to steady herself on the desk. She then slumps forward before her legs appear to give way, and she falls backward behind the desk.
Watch the moment below:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1637270176813940742
The hosts initially thought the presenter hung her head due to the weather update but they soon realized that it was a medical emergency and quickly cut to a break.
At the time, CBS Los Angeles’ vice president and news director Mike Dello Stritto issued a statement to TMZ, stating: “Our colleague Alissa Carlson became ill during our 7AM newscast this morning.
“I want to thank her co-workers who took immediate action to comfort Alissa and call 911. Alissa is being treated at the hospital right now,” he continued. “Hopefully we’ll know more shortly. In the meantime, Alissa will be in our thoughts and we’re praying for her to be feeling much better soon.”
Schwartz herself took to Facebook later to thank her friends and followers for the “texts, calls, and well wishes” before adding: “I am going to be ok!”
The CBS Los Angeles weatherwoman revealed that the frightening moment that occurred was brought on by a disease called vasovagal syncope, which affects roughly one-third of the population.
“I do have a history of fainting,” Schwartz said. “It’s just when you’re on a public platform, sometimes it happens and people now see this.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is often triggered by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which leads to reduced blood flow to the brain.
Schwartz then shared that her leaky heart valve – which she was diagnosed with after she experienced a similar episode in 2014 – was not the reason for the fainting spell.
“Initially when this happened, I think a lot of people – including myself – thought I was having a heart attack on the air,” Schwartz said. “That was not the case, thankfully, and heart has proved that I’m fine. My heart is great.”
The California meteorologist told viewers suffering from the same disease to get some rest and stay hydrated.
She also reminded them to keep their health in mind.
“Sometimes we put ourselves last. We go go go until something happens, and then it’s too late,” she said.
