Joseph Stalin, once leader of the Soviet Union either died of a massive heart attack on March 5, 1953, or he may have died from a stroke, caused by high blood pressure. There are conflicting reports. He was reported to have been diagnosed with arteriosclerosis and when his doctor told him to take it easy and calm down, Stalin had him arrested, along with several other doctors.
Autopsy results, not released publicly until 2011, said Stalin died from “hypertensive cerebral hemorrhagic stroke plus multiple lacunar infarcts (blockages of small arteries in the brain) secondary to uncontrolled hypertension.” Also noted were cardiac hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and adrenal hemorrhage.”
