A pulmonary embolism was the immediate cause of death for actor and comedian Catherine O’Hara. It’s a serious condition in which a blood clot lodges in the lungs.
O’Hara’s sudden passing on January 30 at age 71 has drawn attention to a medical emergency that can unfold rapidly. What makes this condition especially alarming is that it can strike people who seem otherwise well, and symptoms can be mistaken for other problems. Understanding the warning signs is especially important.
To explain what a pulmonary embolism is and who is most at risk, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner.
CNN: What is a pulmonary embolism, and how does it develop?
Dr. Leana Wen: A pulmonary embolism, or PE, happens when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks one of the pulmonary arteries. Most often, the clot forms elsewhere — typically in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis — in a condition known as deep vein thrombosis.
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