Heavy D Cause of Death: Pulmonary Embolism

Cause of Heavy D's Death Revealed

Rapper Heavy D, who passed away at age 44 on on November 8, 2011, died of a pulmonary embolism, according to TMZ. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has ruled Heavy D's death as due to natural causes.

• Heavy D: Best Songs, Videos from Hip-Hop Legend
  

Pulmonary Embolism and Deep-Vein Thrombosis

A pulmonary embolism occurs when an artery in the lung is blocked due to fat buildup from exposed bone marrow, a tumor, an air bubble, or a blood clot. Usually the blood clot does not form in the in the lung, but travels from elsewhere in the body.

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Heavy D at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards

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uploaded by Getty Images

According to the Mayo Clinic, a blood clot formed in the leg is the most common culprit, making the pulmonary embolism a complication of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT): the two are very closely linked.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Symptoms
• Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms
  

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs. This is exacerbated by long periods of sitting still, such as long car rides or flights, when lack of muscle movement inhibits proper blood flow.

Note that flying or driving for long periods of time are, by themselves, unlikely to cause DVT: other risk factors come into play. In Heavy D's case, other factors included a history of heart disease and obesity.

Heavy D had flown back to Los Angeles from the UK, where he had performed at a Michael Jackson tribute concert, just days before his death.