Poppy Bilderbeck
The cause of death of Christina Sandera, partner of actor Clint Eastwood, has been released.
Eastwood and philanthropist Sandera were in a relationship for over 10 years, living together in a small town in California, US, called Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The 94-year-old award-winning actor and director announced the passing of his longterm partner - aged 61 at the time of her death - in a statement released on July 18.
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The Million Dollar Baby actor's statement shared last Thursday read: "Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much."
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. told The Hollywood Reporter that no other information would be released.
However, Sandera's cause of death has since been publicized.
A representative from the Monterey County Health Department told the Post that Sandera experienced cardiac arrhythmia.
The Mayo Clinic explains that a heart arrhythmia is 'an irregular heartbeat', which occurs 'when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don't work properly'. This can cause the heart to beat 'too fast or too slow' and be 'inconsistent' in pattern.
While some are 'harmless', others can sadly cause 'life-threatening symptoms'.
The spokesperson from Monterey County Healthy Department also said that Sandera had Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which would have also played a factor.
"Atherosclerosis is a hardening of your arteries from plaque building up gradually inside them. Plaque consists of fat, cholesterol and other substances. This plaque buildup limits blood flow. You may not have symptoms of atherosclerosis until you have complications like a heart attack or stroke," the Cleveland Clinic notes.
Ultimately, Sandera's cause of death was ruled as a heart attack.
UNILAD has contacted Monterey County Healthy Department for further comment.
People have been flooding to social media to offer their condolences to Eastwood.
One Twitter user said: "Incredibly sorry to hear this, Clint. Praying for you and the family."
"So sorry to hear that! Condolences to Clint and to her her family!" Another added.
A third commented: "Prayers for them both. God Bless them and their families."
"My heart breaks with you. Fullest Respect," a fourth wrote.
And a fifth said: "So very sorry for your loss, keeping you in my prayers, I’ve loved Clint all my life, may the Lord comfort you in your journey of grief. I wish I knew the right words, but I’m just so sorry you’re sad, prayers to Christina’s loved ones."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.