RETIRED painter and decorator Donald Rogerson died after breaking his neck in a fall down stairs at his home.
And an inquest heard that the fall may have been caused by an irregular heart rhythm as a result of clogged arteries.
Mr Rogerson, 66, of Redearth Road, Darwen, was found at his home by his nephew, Alan Coughlin.
He was slumped at the foot of the stairs, upside down, and a post mortem examination revealed a spine fracture in the neck and one lower down.
The examination also revealed severe narrowing in all three of the major arteries.
The pathologist said that given the severity of the problem it was possible the fall could have been precipitated by a cardiac arrhythmia.
A family member told the inquest that Mr Rogerson had never smoked in his life.
Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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