COPD Symptoms and Defintion: ‘Star Trek’ Spock Actor Leonard Nimoy Reportedly Hospitalized for Pulmonary Disease, Chest Pain
Paramedics responded to a medical call on Feb. 19 at the home of "Star Trek" actor Leonard Nimoy and transported one person to an area hospital.
The Los Angeles Times reports Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Katherine Main said firefighters went to a home on Stone Canyon Road in Bel-Air about 7:31 a.m. on Feb. 19 and transported one patient to the hospital. While she would not confirm it was Nimoy, property records show the 83-year-old actor lives at the residence.
TMZ reported that Nimoy was taken to UCLA Medical Center. It is unknown if the actor remains hospitalized.
On Sunday, a tweet emerged from Nimoy's account.
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP," the tweet said.
The 83-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as Spock in the original "Star Trek" series (1966-69), announced last year on Twitter that he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after being photographed at the airport in a wheelchair and using an oxygen tank to help him breath.
"I quit smoking 30 yrs ago," he tweeted on Jan. 29, 2014. "Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP."
LLAP stands for Spock's favorite phrase: Live long and prosper.
The actor took to Twitter on Feb. 6, 2014 with an urgent message for followers.
"Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you're diagnosed with lung damage it's too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now. LLAP," he tweeted.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD, which produces excess mucus, blocks airflow and makes it difficult to breathe, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can also cause chest tightness and other symptoms. COPD results when a patient has both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Nimoy began his career in his early 20s, earning small roles in film and television through the 1950s. Foreshadowing his "Star Trek" fame, he played Narab, one of three Martian invaders, in the 1952 film "Zombies of the Stratosphere." He appeared in the rejected Star Trek pilot, "The Cage," in 1965, and would go on to play the half human and half Vulcan character Mr. Spock until 1969. Spock earned Nimoy three Emmy Award nominations.
Following "Star Trek," Nimoy starred in two seasons of "Mission: Impossible," hosted the documentary series "In Search of...," made well-received stage appearances, and more recently, had a recurring role in the science fiction series "Fringe."
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com