Catherine O’Hara Dead at 71: Inside the Rare Condition She Lived With for Decades
Award-winning actress Catherine O’Hara died Friday at the age of 71 after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in critical condition.
Actress Catherine O’Hara has died at 71 after being hospitalized in LA. She lived with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare condition involving reversed internal organs. Its role in her death remains unknown.
According to Page Six, paramedics responded to a call at the “Schitt’s Creek” actress’s residence and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she later passed away. Her agency stated she died after a brief illness, but no official cause of death has been disclosed.
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One confirmed detail about O’Hara’s health history is that she had a rare congenital condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus. Whether this condition contributed to her death has not been determined.
The disorder involves a complete reversal of internal organs within the chest and abdomen, forming a mirror image of standard anatomy. The Cleveland Clinic notes that organs such as the liver or spleen may be located on opposite sides of the body.
Despite being born with the condition, O’Hara remained unaware of it until adulthood. She explained in a 2021 interview that she discovered the anomaly while undergoing routine medical tests tied to tuberculosis screening for her son’s nursing school admission. During the appointment, doctors performed an EKG and chest X-ray.
Recalling the moment, O’Hara said her husband, Bo Welch, joked that her “head was on backwards” after learning her heart and organs were reversed.
Dextrocardia with situs inversus occurs in roughly one out of every 10,000 people and is more prevalent among men. Other public figures with the condition include Enrique Iglesias, 50, and Donny Osmond, 68.
Although doctors have not pinpointed an exact cause, the condition has been linked to inherited genetic mutations. It follows an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to pass along the altered gene.
Many people show no outward symptoms, as the reversed organs often function normally. This can delay diagnosis, which helps explain why O’Hara learned about it later in life. However, the condition can complicate medical evaluations if symptoms appear in unexpected locations.
In certain cases, it is associated with other health conditions or congenital defects. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports potential symptoms may include breathing issues, persistent sinus or lung infections, fatigue, jaundice, and bluish or pale skin caused by reduced oxygen levels. There is no information indicating whether O’Hara experienced any of these issues.
Typically, the condition does not require treatment, as doctors do not attempt to reposition organs. If related complications develop, treatment may involve antibiotics or medications to aid heart and lung function.
Most individuals with the condition have normal life expectancies, though outcomes depend on the presence of other health problems. It has not been established whether the condition was related to O’Hara’s death.
O’Hara is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew, 31, and Luke, 29.
