Catherine O'Hara Died Due to Pulmonary Embolism: Causes, Symptoms, and Why It Can Be Fatal

Catherine

O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate in the US has revealed. The 71-year-old award-winning actress, known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, passed away on January 30. Apart from the blood clot in her lungs, the death certificate has also listed rectal cancer as the long-term cause of death. It was indicated that she had been receiving treatment for the cancer since last spring.

What is pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism is basically a blood clot in one of the blood vessels in your lungs. It happens when a clot in another part of your body moves through your veins to your lungs, restricting blood flow to the lungs, lowering oxygen levels, and increasing blood pressure. The doctors call the condition a medical emergency and say that without quick treatment, a pulmonary embolism can lead to heart or lung damage and even death. About 33 per cent of those with a pulmonary embolism die before they get a diagnosis and treatment. A pulmonary embolism can:

• Damage your lungs.
• It puts strain on your heart, causing heart failure.
• It can be life-threatening, depending on the size of the clot.
• With timely diagnosis and treatment, a PE is seldom fatal.

Also read: New Blood Test May Predict Heart Disease Better Than LDL Cholesterol; Why Are More People Not Getting It?

Signs and symptoms of PE

Doctors say the first signs of pulmonary embolism are usually breathlessness along with chest pain, which keeps getting worse if you exert yourself or take a deep breath. Even though pulmonary embolism is serious, it is a very treatable condition, and quick treatment greatly reduces the chance of death. Pulmonary embolism symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the clot. Although most people with a pulmonary embolism experience symptoms, some don’t. A few of these include:

• Sudden breathlessness
• Fast breathing
• Wheezing
• Unexplained sharp pain in your chest, arm, back, shoulder, neck, or jaw
• Cough with or without bloody mucus
• Pale, clammy, or bluish skin
• Rapid heartbeat
• Excessive sweating
• In some cases, feeling anxious, lightheaded, faint, or even passing out

What causes a pulmonary embolism?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a few causes of pulmonary embolism include:

• Blood clotting or “pooling” in a certain part of your body, usually an arm or leg. Blood usually pools after long periods of inactivity, like after surgery, bed rest, or a long flight or plane ride.
• Injury to a vein, such as from a fracture or surgery
• Another medical condition, like congestive heart failure, a heart attack, or a stroke
• An increase or decrease in your blood’s clotting factors can occur with some types of cancer or in some people taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills.

A few risk factors also include:

• Having a family history of blood clots
• Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco
• Having diabetes
• Having cancer
• Being older than 60 years of age
• Having a history of heart failure, heart attack, or stroke
• Being overweight or having obesity