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How To Determine Cause Of Death Without An Autopsy?
Question: My father just passed away and my mother did not want an autopsy. I am curious as to what the actual cause of his death was. I know there are no certain answers without an autopsy, but was hoping if I give the ssymptoms, someone could give me an educated guess as to what caused his death. He was 60 years old, didn'tgo to the doctor very much, but at one point he did have high cholesterol levels, but he never took medication for it, just changed his diet. The events of his death include llightheadedness/dizziness, complained of left arm/shoulder pain (stinging/burning), palpitations of the heart, and several minutes later he seized, mouth opened and jaw fixated, drooling, no breathing, hands jerking, sweating. My mother did CPR until emergency crew arrived. They resuscitated him several times and tried to get him on the helicopter to airlift him to the hospital, but ended up transporting him to the hospital in an ambulance. He died on the way to the hospital. There was also one entry in his journal of having burning/stinging pain in his left shoulder/arm, palpitations about a week before he died. I guess the symptoms went away the same day and he didn't say anything to anyone. Other than that he had not been I'll or diagnosed with anything. He did a lot of manual labor and had a lot of stress. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Its most likely cardiac arrest that caused death of your father
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Sorry to hear about the death of your father.
A person at 60 years of age having discomfort involving left shoulder and arm a week before his death and then in the final moments experiencing lightheadedness, palpitations, and later seized with mouth opened and jaw fixated can happen due to cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction.
There is a history of raised cholesterol levels and which was controlled with a change is diet. It is not clear if he had any of the heart investigations like EKG and echocardiography which may have shown any features of decreased heart function. However severe stress can precipitate a sudden cardiac death in the person has done hard labor and had undergone stress in the days leading to his death. The jerking and sweating are also likely to be due to heart conditions. In many patients merely changing diet does not always help in prevention of heart complications and medications are needed.
May his soul rest in peace and the Lord give your family the strength to bear his loss.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Its most likely cardiac arrest that caused death of your father
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Sorry to hear about the death of your father.
A person at 60 years of age having discomfort involving left shoulder and arm a week before his death and then in the final moments experiencing lightheadedness, palpitations, and later seized with mouth opened and jaw fixated can happen due to cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction.
There is a history of raised cholesterol levels and which was controlled with a change is diet. It is not clear if he had any of the heart investigations like EKG and echocardiography which may have shown any features of decreased heart function. However severe stress can precipitate a sudden cardiac death in the person has done hard labor and had undergone stress in the days leading to his death. The jerking and sweating are also likely to be due to heart conditions. In many patients merely changing diet does not always help in prevention of heart complications and medications are needed.
May his soul rest in peace and the Lord give your family the strength to bear his loss.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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