Hi, I saw that same report too. I'm really irritated at the article, though, because it describes a PE as just a blocked artery and said something like 'this type of heart disease would be enough to kill him', so I think whoever was the reporter actually has no idea what a PE is, and anyone who reads the article is just going to think he had some kind of generic heart disease and not realize that he died of blood clots.

I mean, it's sad enough that he died of this, but my thought when I first saw this was that well maybe at least since he's known well enough at least here in the States, people might read and be a little educated about it and more aware, thereby causing some good to come out of what he suffered. But then the dumb reporters can't even report what it was accurately.....

I just read this too....apparently he's had two hip replacement surgeries this year and I think a knee replacement surgery (both high for DVT risk). He probably had a DVT from his surgeries and then went on a flight (probably flied around a lot...given his job). DVT dislodged to a PE. This is my theory.

Ashley,

I think that he had a lot of risk factors with all of his surgeries (and perhaps wasn't being properly watched following his surgeries...which is unfortunately, all too common). We need to find comfort in we know what to look for in ourselves....what places us at high risk (long flights, etc....which we know can be prevented by taking lovenox shots). Maybe his death will force people to talk more about the risk factors leading up to DVT/PE. That was the case with David Bloom.....people and doctors need to be more aware. It has certainly been a strange week in the U.S. with all of the celebrity deaths...I'm feeling like the icons from my youth are dying off...and at relatively young ages.

Take care,

Nancy

Where about did you read about the PE? All public released information suggests sudden cardiac arrest. The autopsy revealed hypertension and arteriosclerotic disease of the heart. It will be a couple of weeks before the final results are published.

But, if you've seen something suggesting PE, I'm definitely interested in finding out more.

I don't know of him - but eek, that is scary! I must admit, there has been a bit in the papers about PEs in the UK this past week - about a woman who died of PE taking the contraceptive pill. I must admit, I was a bit shocked when I read it - firstly, because the paper made it seem like this is an incredibly rare thing to happen...when there are lots of us on here who have suffered PEs because of the pill. Secondly, because it was clear that the writer just didn't have a clue what a PE actually is!

I'm so sorry to hear that you are still having so many problems with anxiety Ashley! Wish there was something I could do to help you honey x x x

Tom, here's the link. Now granted, this is from Popeater, so probably not the premier source of accurate information, but this is the link that comes from aol.com so I would imagine more than a few people are reading it. I am kind of confused over what I've read regarding him because this is the only thing I've seen to reference a PE, but the way it's described in the article doesn't give an complete explanation of a PE either and it is described more like heart disease. So where did the PE mention come from? I'd like to know. I had read also that he'd recently had a hip or knee surgery and was supposed to get another, so it seems that PE wouldn't be out of the question, and wouldn't he have had physical workups due to the surgeries that would have shown up if his heart was already enlarged due to heart disease? I read that final autopsy results will be later, so I guess I'll follow to see what that shows, if they report it.

http://www.popeater.com/television/article/billy-mays-dies/546990

ShilosMommy, thanks for the link. Here is the PR New report that I had read:

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-29-2009/0005052268&EDATE=

Another report LA Times discussed an enlarged ventricle noticed during the autopsy which tends to make be believe it was indeed heart disease related (hypertension and arteriosclerotic).

Regards,
Tom

I just read the LA Times article, which said it was the left ventricle enlarged, so it does seem more like it was heart disease, because if it were PE it would have been the right ventricle, right?

Wow what a discussion, interesting! I feel a lot better now... the way the media shocks you somtimes just makes your heart drop to the floor especially if its something you can relate to! thanks guys im very interested in where this thread is going you guys are excellant researchers!!!
xoxo

One report says that he was hit in the head during the landing. My first thought was Natasha Richardson who died a few days after hitting her head. That makes me wonder if a blood clot was involved there. I wondered if Billy got a blood clot from getting hit in the head. Since my PE it seems that they are popping up all around us. Are they really or are we just sensitive now.

awe girl I wish I could heIp you with the anxiety. I deal with it by generally being in denial... I truly don't believe anything like that would EVER happen to me and I know that even though I don't think I will get anything like this again, I still take the precautions. If I have weird pain that could be a PE or DVT I get it checked out. Try not to dwell too much on all of this!