They often say that having a big heart is a good thing, but that's only true if it isn't coming from a doctor.
From a medical standpoint, an enlarged heart or cardiomegaly is a sign that something is wrong with your body, and if not properly treated, it could become fatal.
Unfortunately for Cristy Caserta, a former contestant on The Bachelor, an enlarged heart contributed to her sudden passing last October, according to a new autopsy report obtained by TMZ.
Caserta, who appeared on season 15 of the hit show to compete for Brad Womack's final rose, suffered a seizure while in class. She reportedly also went into cardiac arrest shortly after and lost consciousness.
"The students around her noticed her coffee fell to the ground and thought maybe she fell asleep, but she was unresponsive when they approached her," a Sunrise PD officer told Us Weekly. "They called 911, and Fire Rescue showed up and started CPR and she was still unresponsive."
She was later pronounced dead at the Westside Regional Medical Center in Florida.
Caserta's cause of death was not revealed at the time, but according to the coroner's recent report, she also had an overactive thyroid, a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
The hormonal disorder is manageable with medication and a balanced diet, however, it can become life-threatening if left untreated. According to Healthline, it can lead to a thyroid storm during which one's heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature rise to dangerously high levels.
Emily Maynard, Caserta's fellow competitor and the season's winner, paid tribute to the late attorney in a statement to Us Weekly.
"Being on a show like The Bachelor, you truly form relationships that are so special because it's an experience no one else can relate to," Maynard told Us Weekly. "I'm grateful for my memories with Cristy and will be praying for her family and friends."
Ashley Spivey, who also starred on the same season, shared some heartfelt words about her late friend.
"I'm absolutely heartbroken about Cristy," Spivey said at the time. "She was one of the kindest people I met on the first night of the show and she continued to be an amazing friend. She was as smart and funny as she was beautiful. She will be deeply missed in this world."
