Gene Hackman’s cardiologist has raised concerns about why the actor’s pacemaker did not send any emergency signals before his passing. The retired actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, February 26th.
While investigations are ongoing, Hackman’s longtime cardiologist has shared his perspective concerning their sudden death. This tragic event has left medical professionals trying to understand what went wrong. But given they lived a quiet life before their deaths, the investigation is getting complicated.
Gene Hackman’s pacemaker should have gone off to alert cardiologist if he underwent cardiovascular event
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Gene Hackman suffered a major heart attack in 1990, an incident that nearly claimed his life. Following this, he underwent medical treatments and was eventually fitted with a pacemaker to regulate his heart rhythm. Hackman continued routine checkups, and his doctors believed that, despite his old age, he was managing his condition well. However, recent reports suggested his health declined.
This cardiologist has been monitoring him for years, and he explained that the pacemaker should have been able to detect any signs of distress and transmit an alert. Pacemakers are designed to pick up irregular heart activity and send signals to emergency services or caregivers, especially for someone with Hackman’s condition.
In Hackman’s case, his doctor is concerned about whether the pacemaker malfunctioned or was faulty or if there was another factor that led to the couple’s unexpected passing. Given this additional information, the investigation has gotten more complicated; however, the police are trying their best to uncover the truth.
More investigations
Medical practitioners are also examining whether the pacemaker recorded any abnormalities before his death. If the device failed to respond, this could indicate a malfunction or a rapid event that did not allow time for an emergency alert. Hackman’s cardiologist stated, “A pacemaker is meant to extend and safeguard life, especially in cases of heart failure. If there was no signal or warning, we have to ask why.”
When Gene Hackman’s body was discovered in a separate room, his glasses were found beside him, suggesting he may have been trying to reach for something before collapsing. Betsy Arakawa was found near the bathroom, along with their deceased dog and an open bottle of prescription pills.