JANUARY, 2022 74-year-old woman was admitted to a psychiatric facility the day before her death. She was 4.92 feet (150 centimeters) tall, weighed about 173 lbs (78.5 kg), and had a large waist circumference – over 46 inches (117 cm). Doctors knew she had suffered from long-term depression and was taking several medications to help manage her condition.
Her death came unexpectedly. Nurses at the hospital laid her in bed, and shortly after, she stopped breathing. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a serious health issue often not visible at first glance – blood clots in her lungs and deep veins of her legs.
These clots – medically known as thromboembolism – blocked both of her pulmonary arteries, preventing blood from properly flowing to her lungs. This forced her heart to work much harder, leading to sudden failure of the right side of her heart and ultimately death.
The autopsy also confirmed that the woman had other cardiovascular problems that may have worsened this tragic condition. Despite taking blood-thinning medication, clots still formed and caused severe complications.
This case serves as a reminder of how important it is to recognize the risks of blood clot formation early, especially in people who are chronically ill or bedridden for long periods. Despite the best efforts of doctors and healthcare workers, some complications unfortunately cannot always be predicted.
