When Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman had chest pains during a 1990 vacation on the Oregon coast, he went to Portland’s St. Vincent Medical Center for a surgery to help avert a heart attack. Hackman was discovered dead on February 26 at the age of 95.
The cause of death for Hackman, his wife, 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, who were also discovered dead at the couple’s New Mexico home, is still being looked into by authorities.
According to the Today show, Hackman had discussed health concerns over the years, even if the cause of his death is still unknown. In an interview, he stated that his cardiac problems had a part in his choice to retire from acting in 2008.
In the 2009 interview with Empire magazine, Hackman stated, “The doctor told me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”
A UPI article published on July 5, 1990, included some information about Hackman’s therapy in Oregon.The article claims that by using a balloon catheter to clear an artery providing blood to Hackman’s heart muscle, doctors in Oregon were able to prevent him from having a heart attack.
Regarding Hackman’s condition, Dr. Herbert Semler stated in the report, “We got him just in the nick of time.”
According to the article, Hackman, who was 60 at the time, was on vacation on the Oregon coast when he started having chest symptoms. According to Semler, the actor took a car to Portland and checked himself into Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
According to Semler’s account in the UPI story, Hackman was at the seashore when the pain persisted and began to travel down his arm. Hackman became alarmed and went to the Portland hospital.
According to Semler, Hackman might be just hours away from suffering a heart attack because of the pains.
He’s all right now. In the UPI story, Semler praised Hackman, saying, “We got an excellent result.” He is quite relieved that his discomfort has subsided. He is active and prepared to produce another film.
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Kristi Turnquist discusses entertainment and features. You can contact her at [email protected] or 503-221-8227.https://bsky.app/profile/kristiturnquist.bsky.social and@Kristiturnquistand
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