(RxWiki News) Leonard Nimoy, most famous for his iconic portrayal of Spock on the Star Trek TV series, died Friday at his Los Angeles home at the age of 83.
Nimoy's wife, Susan, told The New York Times that Nimoy died from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nimoy had told the public that he had the disease last year and attributed it to years of smoking. According to The Times, Nimoy had quit smoking almost 30 years ago.
COPD is a progressive and chronic lung disease that blocks airflow. It is often the result of smoking. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, among others.
While the damage to the lungs that COPD causes can't be reversed, treatment can help with symptoms and reduce future damage.
Nimoy had been hospitalized earlier this week with breathing trouble, The New York Times reports.
