By Georgina O’Halloran
A woman died of a heart attack due to factors linked to her obesity an inquest heard.
Johanna Janatuinen (30 was discovered dead in bed by her partner Warren Jones on the afternoon of February 6, 2012.
The young woman, who was originally from Finland, was morbidly obese at the time of her death, and had a body mass index (BMI) of 40.9.
This was about twice the level of normal body mass index, which is between 18.5 and 25.
Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said the young woman’s death was due to heart and respiratory failure caused by a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. This means the heart is enlarged and weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. Dr Bolster said her heart condition was due to her raised BMI, and a genetic susceptibility to the condition.
“Obesity is known to cause adverse effects on the heart,” she said at Cork City Coroner’s Court.
Mr Joes broke down in tears when the pathologist told him that Ms. Janatuinen did not suffer and died in her sleep.
HEADACHE
He told how he last saw Ms Janatuinen, of Blackrock Place, Eden, Mahon, Cork, the evening before she died.
He said she was fine, except for a headache, which they put down to a two-day hangover.
The following day, he presumed she was at work until her boss telephoned him to say that she had not turned up.
Mr Jones immediately went into her bedroom where he found her lifeless in bed.
A garda investigation found no suspicious circumstances.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said the case highlighted the health difficulties that are brought about by obesity.
She recorded a death of acute heart and respiratory failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, on a background of a raised BMI.
The inquest heard that Ms Janatuinen had begun taking a dietary supplement called CLA 24/7 to lose weight about a month before her death, but that there was no evidence to link it with her death.
However the coroner said she would inform the Irish Medicines Board of the case.
She recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.