HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — While he has been portrayed in the media as being weak and frail, Michael Jackson was actually relatively healthy at the time of his death, according to an autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press.
Jackson’s heart was strong with no sign of plaque buildup when he died at the age of 50 on June 25. His kidneys and most other major organs were also normal.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s report also said Jackson weighed 136 pounds when he died, which is considered acceptable for his 5-foot-9 height.
Jackson did have some health issues, including some arthritis in his lower spine and some fingers. He also suffered from some mild plaque buildup in his leg arteries.
His most serious health problem was found in his lungs, which were chronically inflamed and had reduced capacity, a condition that could have left him short of breath. However, Jackson’s lung condition was not considered serious enough to contribute to his death, officials said.
“His overall health was fine,” said Dr. Zeev Kain, chairman of the anesthesiology department at the University of California, Irvine, who reviewed a copy of the autopsy report for the AP. “The results are within normal limits.”
In August, officials ruled Jackson’s official cause of death as acute propofol intoxication. Other drugs found in his system that contributed to his passing included lorazepam, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine.
