What to know about Pulmonary Embolism after Catherine O’Hara’s death

The reported death of veteran actress Catherine O’Hara has sparked public interest in a little-understood but potentially fatal medical condition after details from her death certificate emerged this week. According to information cited in reports, Catherine O’Hara died at the age of 71 from a Pulmonary Embolism, with the episode said to have unfolded within hours of symptoms appearing.

The document also listed rectal cancer among her diagnoses, adding context to the health challenges she faced before her passing. Health experts note that a Pulmonary Embolism occurs when a clot, most often formed in the deep veins of the legs, travels to the lungs and blocks an artery.

This disruption limits oxygen exchange and blood circulation, making a Pulmonary Embolism a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment. In severe cases, such as the one linked to Catherine O’Hara, the condition can escalate rapidly and prove fatal before intervention is possible.

What Is Pulmonary Embolism?

Doctors describe a Pulmonary Embolism as one of the more common cardiovascular complications globally, affecting hundreds of thousands of people annually. While the severity varies, the hallmark signs often include sudden shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or fainting.

Additional symptoms may surface, such as coughing up blood-tinged mucus, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, fever, or swelling and pain in the lower leg.

In many cases, a Pulmonary Embolism originates from deep vein thrombosis, where clots develop in the legs before migrating to the lungs. Less commonly, blockages may stem from fat particles after fractures, fragments of tumors, or even air bubbles.

Without swift diagnosis and treatment, specialists warn a Pulmonary Embolism can damage the heart and lungs and a significant proportion of patients die before receiving care.

The disclosure surrounding Catherine O’Hara has highlighted how quickly the condition can progress. Risk factors tied to a Pulmonary Embolism include prior clotting history, heart disease, cancer, recent surgery, prolonged inactivity, smoking, and certain hormonal treatments.

Preventive steps often focus on staying active, elevating legs when necessary, and using prescribed blood thinners for those at higher risk.

Treatment depends on severity, but clinicians typically rely on blood tests and imaging scans to confirm a Pulmonary Embolism, followed by medication or procedures to dissolve or remove clots.

While the loss of Catherine O’Hara has saddened many, medical professionals say her case underscores the importance of recognizing symptoms early and understanding how dangerous a Pulmonary Embolism can be when time is limited.