Special attention on pulmonary embolism after the death of the Hollywood actress.

The cause of death of the esteemed actress Catherine O'Hara has been confirmed as a blood clot in the lungs, also known as Pulmonary Embolism, according to the death certificate issued in the United States. With this death, special attention has been drawn worldwide to this lung disease.

She was 71 years old when she passed away on January 30th at a hospital in Los Angeles, and in addition to the blood clot in her lungs, a long-term cause of death mentioned in the death certificate was rectal cancer.

Reportedly, she had been receiving treatment for this cancer since March 2025.

Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, sons Matthew and Luke, and six siblings.

According to the NHS, the Pulmonary Embolism that caused her death is a serious, life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the lungs.

This blockage stops normal blood flow to a part of the lungs, impairs oxygen exchange, and puts severe strain on the heart; this often occurs when a blood clot formed in a deep vein (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) in the legs or pelvic area breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and gets lodged in the pulmonary arteries.

Sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain that worsens with breathing, and coughing up blood are the main symptoms.

Factors such as prolonged immobility (e.g., long flights), recent surgery, medical conditions like cancer, and smoking increase this risk, and health authorities emphasize that it is essential to seek immediate medical attention if sudden difficulty breathing or chest pain occurs.