What Did Elvis Die Of?

The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. The day of his death was an alarming shock to the world as people mourned the loss of the legend. But what actually caused Elvis’ death?

Cause of Death

Official reports have suggested that Elvis Presley died of a heart attack and marijuana overdose. However, he did suffer from chronic constipation, however, and the heart attack is thought to have been brought on by the prescence of a large amount of opiates in his system.

On the day of his death, Elvis was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his Graceland Mansion home. The coroner diagnosed him with myocardial infarction, caused by a hardening of the arteries. Additionally, a drug toxicity report indicated that he had 14 various drugs in his system, including codeine, morphine, Valium, Quaaludes, and Demerol.

Other Factors That Contributed to Elvis’ Death

Though drugs and the hardened arteries played a major role in Elvis’ death, other elements should be considered when looking at the cause. For example, Elvis’ weight had increased to an alarming degree, topping out at more than 250 pounds by the time of his death. Several theories suggest that this rise in weight was a symptom of depression, while others believe it was due to his over-indulgence in drug and alcohol use.

Additionally, it is believed that Elvis suffered from chronic insomnia. He often hurt himself on the stage, but still performed despite feeling exhausted. This could have been another factor that weakened his heart muscles and contributed to his early death.

Conclusion

Elvis Presley’s death remains a shock to this day, but his cause of death has officially been ruled as a heart attack due to drug use, chronic constipation, and a combination of other factors. His passing left behind a tremendous legacy that still lives on today in his music and image.