Coroner: Heart Disease Cause Of Billy Mays' Death
Jun. 30 2009, Published 10:53 a.m. ET
Ace TV pitchman Billy Mays' Sunday death at 50 was caused by a pulmonary embolism and not the side effects of a bumpy plane landing, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Vernard Adams said Monday.
Mays "had an enlarged heart, a thickening of the wall of the ventricle which takes blood to the heart," Adams said.
Experts in the field pointed to the death of the vibrant spokesman as a cautionary tale for others to learn from.
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"Billy Mays was seen by millions of Americans as an energetic and seemingly healthy middle-aged man," said Dr. Vince Mosesso , the medical director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, said in a press release.
"Unfortunately and tragically, in many cases, the first sign of heart disease is sudden cardiac arrest. Mr. Mays' death is a reminder that we should all make every effort to know about, avoid or modify the possible risk factors for heart disease. Those with diagnosed heart disease should be vigilant in their medical care and lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest."