Patrick Muldoon's death certificate revealed he was dealing with hereditary coagulopathy disorder, a type of blood disorder, that contributed to his passing.
Best known for starring in "Days of Our Lives" and "Melrose Place," Muldoon, 57, died April 19 due to a myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, according to a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly and People. His disorder was considered an underlying cause.
"If you have a clotting disorder, your blood may not clot enough, which can lead to too much bleeding, or your blood may form clots even without an injury," according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
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Coagulopathy refers to problems with how your body makes blood clots, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
If your blood clots too much, it can increase someone's risk for several health issues, the clinic notes, including:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Severe leg pain
- Walking difficulty
- Loss of limbs
- Deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the veins of your pelvis, leg, arm, liver, intestines or kidneys
- Pulmonary embolus, a blood clot in your lungs
Whereas coagulopathy disorders can cause prolonged bleeding from cuts or wounds on your skin as well as involve internal bleeding, the clinic notes, adding signs to look out for include:
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Extensive bruising
- Heavy period bleeding
- Swollen or stiff joints
- Vomiting or coughing up blood
- Black, tarry poop
- Headaches, vision loss or confusion
Both clotting and bleeding disorders are usually inherited or acquired, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
The genetic form − like the one Muldoon reportedly had − means you were born with the condition, the institute explains, while the acquired form means you developed it as the result of another illness or injury.
While blood clotting disorders "can be dangerous," the Cleveland Clinic says, there are medications, like anticoagulants, that can help with management and treatment.
To diagnose a bleeding disorder, your healthcare provider may need to review your symptoms, risk factors, medical history, and blood test results, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute noted.
"Depending on the type of bleeding disorder you have, your provider may recommend medicines or clotting factor replacement therapy to treat your condition," the institute added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Muldoon death certificate says he had coagulopathy. What is it?
