Overview
- A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists a pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of O’Hara’s January 30 death at 71, with rectal cancer recorded as the underlying cause.
- A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot—most often from a deep vein in the leg—travels to the lungs and blocks an artery.
- Warning signs include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, fainting, and swelling, pain or redness in one leg.
- The American Lung Association estimates about 900,000 people in the U.S. are affected by pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis each year, with roughly 100,000 deaths, yet rapid hospital treatment greatly reduces risk of death.
- Major risk factors include active cancer, recent surgery or prolonged immobility such as long travel, smoking, obesity, pregnancy and certain hormone therapies, with experts advising hydration, movement and individualized prevention plans.