stenosis

In July, the 72-year-old was taken to the medical facility to undergo treatment for COVID-19, double pneumonia and other health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal stenosis and fluid in his heart and lungs.

His son Steve said the cause was aortic stenosis.

The 257 patients who completed the study all had asymptomatic extracranial high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis — in other words, their carotid arteries were blocked with plaque.

While autopsy findings indicate Avenatti died of aortic stenosis due to hyperlipidemia, a heart valve disease that was linked to high cholesterol, Pons said she wasn’t aware her aunt had health issues.

He credits the sport with motivating him to quit smoking and helping to speed his recovery after treatment for spinal stenosis.