The Los Angeles County Coroner announced it was a heart attack that killed Sylvester Stallone’s son, Sage. Experts say that the heart attack was likely prompted by Sage Stallone’s heavy smoking.

Earlier this summer, when Sage Stallone’s death went viral in the media many said it must have been a drug overdose. Experts found traces of sedative hydrocodone in Sage’s body but it was within limits. The coroner’s report rules Sylvester Stallone’s son died of natural causes: a heart attack.

The 36-year-old son of “The Expendables” actor died on July 13. Looking back at his life, the coroner’s report makes even more sense. Sage Stallone suffered a heart attack that killed him. It was prompted by his coronary heart disease and intensive smoking.

“There were no signs of overdose. It was just a natural death” said Lt. Fred Corral with the Los Angeles County Coroner investigative division.  The small amount of hydrocodone couldn’t have caused death, thus dismissing the drug overdose theory. The coroner added the hydrocodone level in Sage’s body was “sub-therapeutic”.

Sage Stallone’s coronary heart disease was brought on by atherosclerosis, a condition that hardens the arteries. It’s a common condition when the walls of arteries are filled with fat, cholesterol and other toxins that in time harden and transform in plaques. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of heart attacks, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Coroner Chief Craig Harvey believes Sage Stallone’s death was strongly linked to his heavy smoking. Sage Stallone’s family said that before his death he had gradually reduced the number of cigarettes he used to smoke. In fact, he recently switched to smoking an electric cigarette.

But it might have well been too late. Smoking is among the primary reasons behind coronary artery disease. The toxins in the smoke cause elevated blood pressure that translates later on in an increased risk of clots. Thus heart attack.

On the overall, Sage Stallone had a very different lifestyle compared to his dad’s. His heavy smoking, coupled with a constant unhealthy died based on junk food and soda, as well as regularly taking various prescription medications are all risk factors.