“Reservoir Dogs” actor Michael Madsen died from heart failure, his cardiologist told NBCLA. Madsen suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California, on July 3. He was 67.
Madsen suffered from heart disease and alcoholism, which directly led to his heart failure.
Madsen is best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart muscle is weak and can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s oxygen needs. The condition is divided into right-sided and left-sided heart failure.
A doctor can tell which side of the heart is failing based on the patient’s signs and symptoms. A physical exam and diagnostic tests confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of heart failure coincide with which side of the heart is failing.
Symptoms include shortness of breath with and without exertion, persistent cough caused by fluid in the lungs, fatigue, and fluid buildup around the heart.
What causes Heart Failure?
The leading causes of heart failure include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, smoking, drug addiction, substance abuse, infections, sleep apnea, and more.
Left-Sided Heart Failure
The left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the brain and body. If the left ventricle fails, the blood will back up into the lungs causing pulmonary edema. The signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, labored breathing even while lying down, extreme fatigue, coughing caused by fluid in the lungs, pale clammy skin, increased respiratory rate, etc.
Coughing, also known as a cardiac cough, is a hard cough that persists for weeks. It may produce white or blood-tinged sputum. Persistent coughing occurs due to fluid buildup inside the lungs.
Right-Sided Heart Failure
The right side of the heart receives oxygen-depleted blood from the brain and body. The oxygen-depleted blood is heading to the lungs to pick up oxygen. If the right ventricle is failing, the blood backs up into the body. The signs and symptoms include pitting edema (swelling) of the legs and ankles, getting up frequently to pee at night, fluid accumulating in the abdomen causing abdominal swelling (ascites) from liver disease, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) from liver disease, nausea, and problems with blood clotting, etc.
Men have a higher rate of heart failure than women. You should see your doctor or go to an emergency room if you believe you are experiencing signs and symptoms of heart failure.
DISCLAIMER
Medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician or a health care provider.
