Emilio Navaira was one of the most popular and influential Tejano singers of his generation. He won a Grammy Award and a Latin Grammy Award for his music, and was known as the “Garth Brooks of Tejano”. He also crossed over to country music, charting several singles on the Billboard charts. He died on May 16, 2016, at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy of songs and fans. But what was the cause of his death? How did he suffer a fatal heart attack? Here are some facts and details about Emilio Navaira’s cause of death.
A History of Heart Problems
According to Heavy.com, Emilio Navaira had a history of heart problems that may have contributed to his death. In 2008, he was involved in a serious car accident that left him with severe brain injuries. He was driving his tour bus while intoxicated and crashed into traffic barrels on a highway. He was thrown through the windshield and suffered multiple fractures and a blood clot in his brain. He underwent several surgeries and had to relearn how to walk and talk. He also had to wear a helmet to protect his skull.
The accident also damaged his heart, as he developed an irregular heartbeat that required a pacemaker. He had to take medication to prevent blood clots and strokes. He also had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which increased his risk of heart disease.
A Sudden Cardiac Arrest
On the night of May 16, 2016, Emilio Navaira was at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, with his family. He had just returned from a jog and was feeling fine. He went to take a shower and then lay down on his bed. His family found him unconscious and called 911. Paramedics arrived and tried to revive him, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead at Resolute Health Hospital.
The cause of death was determined to be natural causes due to cardiovascular disease, according to ABC13.com. He had suffered a massive heart attack, also known as sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart stops beating abruptly and without warning. This can be caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, or by an electrical malfunction in the heart that disrupts its rhythm.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when the blood flow to the heart is reduced or stopped due to a blockage. A heart attack can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and other symptoms. A person having a heart attack may still have a pulse and be conscious. A person having a sudden cardiac arrest has no pulse and no signs of life. Sudden cardiac arrest is more deadly than a heart attack, as it can cause death within minutes if not treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation.
A Legacy of Music
Emilio Navaira’s death shocked and saddened his fans and fellow musicians, who paid tribute to him on social media and at his funeral. He was remembered as a pioneer of Tejano music, a genre that blends Mexican folk music with polka, country, rock, and pop influences. He was also praised for his versatility and charisma, as he could sing in both Spanish and English, and perform in different styles.
Emilio Navaira released more than 15 albums in his career, including several with his band Emilio y Grupo Rio. Some of his most famous songs include “Como Le Hare”, “Lucero de Mi Alma”, “Eclipse”, “Juntos”, “It’s Not the End of the World”, and “Por Siempre Unidos”. He won the Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album in 2003 for Acuerdate, and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album in 2002 for De Nuevo.
Emilio Navaira is survived by his five children: Emilio IV, Diego, Emilia, Mia, and Lluvia. He was married twice: first to Cynthia Navaira from 1986 to 2011, and then to Maru Navaira from 2011 until his death.
Emilio Navaira’s cause of death was a tragic end to a remarkable life. He left behind a legacy of music that will continue to inspire generations of Tejano fans. He was a Tejano legend who died of a heart attack.
