From WPBF 25 News:

Acclaimed actress Catherine O’Hara suffered a pulmonary embolism that caused her sudden death two weeks ago, according to her death certificate.

“A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that goes into the lungs, the arteries of the lungs, and it prevents the lungs from oxygenating the blood. And a lot of times that can cause death,” Dr. Joseph Ricotta said.

Ricotta is the national medical director of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy for Tenet Healthcare and a vascular surgeon at #DelrayMedicalCenter.

He said people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are on hormone replacement therapy, birth control, or have cancer, like O’Hara, are all at higher risk for developing blood clots.

“One of the first symptoms before you even get a pulmonary embolism is some discomfort, usually in your calves, some swelling in your legs,” Ricotta said.