Bob Odenkirk, 63, survived a near-fatal heart attack

Actor Bob Odenkirk, 63, experienced a 'widowmaker' heart attack on the Better Call Saul set in 2021 and was hospitalized and treated; he has since recovered and is promoting a new film.

Bob Odenkirk's new film Normal is debuting this week, and the actor's 2021 medical emergency has returned to public attention. While filming the final season of Better Call Saul in Albuquerque, Odenkirk collapsed and experienced a serious "widowmaker" heart attack. He was taken to hospital, spent about a week there with limited memory of the stay, and has since returned to work and public life. Key points: - The incident occurred on set in 2021 when Odenkirk collapsed and was hospitalized for treatment after a blockage in a major heart artery. - A "widowmaker" heart attack involves a blockage of the left anterior descending artery; reported survival outside the hospital is low (about 12 percent) but improves with prompt medical care. - Emergency care for large blockages commonly includes angioplasty and stent placement, and some cases require bypass surgery. - After initial treatment, survivors commonly face long-term medication, follow-up care, and cardiac rehabilitation. Summary: Odenkirk's survival has drawn attention to widowmaker heart attacks and the medical steps used in treatment and recovery. The reporting notes that this condition affects both men and women and that longer-term therapy and rehabilitation are typical parts of the recovery process.