Duane Chapman Diagnosed With Pulmonary Embolism 3 Months After Wife’s Death

Three months after the death of his wife, Beth, Duane “Dog” Chapman has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.

According to PEOPLE, the Dog the Bounty Hunter star revealed the news in an upcoming episode of The Dr. Oz Show, airing Monday (September 30). Dog learned of his medical issue — a life-threatening condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. — weeks after he was rushed to a Colorado hospital following complaints of chest pains.

“You’re a ticking time bomb. You’re not going to be here with the heart the way it is right now,” Dr. Oz tells the 66-year-old in a clip from the episode. “Fear of death is normal. I’m surprised you don’t fear death when you’re chasing after convicts. But when you run away from doctor, that means you have to do your own doctoring.”

“I said, after Beth left, I’m not afraid to die,” Dog admitted, holding back tears. “Oh, I was afraid to die. I said, ‘Please, let go of my heart honey. Quit squeezing my heart.’”

Oz told PEOPLE Dog had been “denying care that he knew would be life saving,” adding that: “[Duane] was fearful. Beth had been his north star. She was the one that would go with him and keep him balanced so he could deal with these things. Losing her took away his biggest support.”

Despite his fears of doctors and hospitals, and with the encouragement of his friend, Dog eventually came around to getting treatment. “I hesitated for a minute thinking, I don’t want to have to go through this again,” he told the publication. “I don’t want to die right now. I’m not afraid to die anymore, but I really didn’t care for awhile if something would happen. I do care now.”

These days, has started his road to recovery, which involves being on “blood thinners, a healthy diet, and is making strides towards kicking his smoking habit.”

Photo: Getty Images