In this 1987 file publicity image provided by Warner Bros., actor
Corey Haim is shown. Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles
in "Lucas" and "The Lost Boys" whose career was blighted by drug
abuse, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010. He was 38.
(AP Photo/Warner Bros., File)
Preliminary autopsy findings in the death of Corey Haim show the actor suffered pulmonary congestion, an enlarged heart and water in his lungs at the time of his death, according to his mother, Judy Haim. Corey Haim, 38, collapsed and died on Wednesday, March 10, 2010.
Ms. Haim told reporters she received a call from the coroner with the initial findings after an autopsy was performed on Thursday. The coroner’s office must wait for further tests results, including toxicology, before recording a final cause of death.
Corey Haim had complained of flu-like symptoms prior to his collapse. His ex-fiancée, Tiffany Shepis, told People magazine that doctors had previously told the actor he had a ‘bad arrhythmia, probably due to clogged arteries.’ Several prescription medications were found in his apartment, though it is not currently known if they played a role in his death. All three factors -- lung infections, heart problems, and an overuse of drugs -- can increase the risk of pulmonary congestion.
What is pulmonary congestion?
Pulmonary congestion is another name for pulmonary edema, which is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the airspaces of the lungs. The fluid reduces the oxygen moving through the lungs, which causes shortness of breath. When left untreated, pulmonary congestion can lead to death.
There are several known causes of pulmonary congestion, but the most common is a heart problem. In a healthy heart, blood that has been oxygenated in the lungs passes through the left side of the heart and is then carried to the rest of the body. When the heart is weakened, through disease or abnormality, it sometimes cannot pump enough blood out of the pulmonary veins. As the blood backs up, pressure begins to build and fluid in the blood is pushed through the walls of the veins and capillaries into the air sacs of the lungs. The rising fluid interferes with normal breathing and the body becomes oxygen starved. This places further strain on the heart and eventually leads to heart failure in the absence of medical treatment.
Other causes of pulmonary congestion include lung infection, inhalation of toxins, adverse reaction to medications, drug overdose, smoke inhalation, and exercising at high altitudes.
Symptoms of pulmonary congestion include:
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of suffocation or drowning
- Wheezing, gurgling or gasping for breath
- Coughing
- Anxiety and/or restlessness
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Pale skin or a bluish/grayish appearance to the skin
- Coughing up froth tinged with blood
Heart care in Indianapolis
Since pulmonary congestion is commonly associated with heart problems, it is important for Indianapolis residents who have heart abnormalities to receive good medical care.
The Indiana Heart Hospital, located in Indianapolis, is considered one of the top cardiovascular hospitals in the United States. In addition to excellent cardiac care, IHH offers classes and screenings to help Indianapolis residents improve their heart health.
The Indiana Heart Hospital
8075 North Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-621-8000
Comments
Such another sad celebrity tale.
That certainly performed the autopsy quickly. Now his family just has to wait for the final conclusions so the media can get the facts straight.
It would be interesting to know how much of his heart problem was caused by his years of drug and prescription drug abuse. Either way, it's very sad for someone with his potential to have died so young.
It's very sad how often this type of thing seems to be happening.
His death is sad, no matter the cause. But for his mother's sake it would be nice if it was found that it wasn't just from drug abuse.
Great article Amanda! My friend is waiting for heart transplant from this or something very similar and it is due to an array of drugs.
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I had this caused by steroids. It's really scary. I had to be hospitalized and put on diuretics to get the fluid out of my body.
Autopsies are performed within 24 hours of death because key findings can be obscured or destroyed due to decomposition, so it's totally normal to have had it done already.
I have been so irritated by press reports automatically assuming that it was an OD just because it was Corey Haim. A lot of our fellow Examiners have declared the same. But I had a feeling the flu-like symptoms were the real cause, and now, at least it seems as if I am right. It really is a shame, he struggled so much and he never deserved to go through what he has in his life, and now he's dead at 38.
Sad
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What a sad story... great explanation on pulmonary congestion, thanks for the info.
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thanks for the great explanation
Great info on this story, Amanda. Well written, as always.
This is so sad.
Good article bringing this health condition to light.
So sad.
How sad.
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So sad. Thanks for the info!
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Mesa Abusive Relationships
This is just so sad, that is such a cute picture of him.
What a shame.
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