Dog the Bounty Hunter Denying 'Live-Saving' Care After Diagnosed With Pulmonary Embolism

The ‘Dog’s Most Wanted’ star, who previously declared he’s not afraid to die anymore following his wife Beth Chapman’s passing, has Dr. Oz talked him into it before he agrees to seek the help he needs for his condition.

AceShowbiz –
A diagnosis has been revealed on Duane Chapman a.k.a. Dog the Bounty Hunter’s condition, almost two weeks after he was rushed to the hospital due to a heart-related issue. In a preview for Monday’s (September 30) episode of “The Dr. Oz Show“, the reality TV star learns he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism in the heart.

“You’re a ticking time bomb,” Dr. Oz tells the TV star about the life-threatening condition in which one or more arteries has been blocked by blood. “You’re not going to be here with the heart the way it is right now. 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.”

Dog, who previously declared that he’s not afraid to die anymore following his wife Beth Chapman‘s passing, gets tearful as he recalls the time he felt the pain. “Well I all the time stick my foot in my mouth and I said after Beth left I’m not afraid to die,” he says, before admitting that he has changed his mind, “Oh I was afraid to die. I said ‘Please let go of my heart honey. Quit squeezing my heart.’ So I take that back. I’m not afraid to die, but I don’t want to.”

Speaking to PEOPLE after the diagnosis, Dr. Oz reveals that Dog was “denying care that he knew would be life saving. ” He explains, “[Dog] 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.”

Dr. Oz had to convince the 66-year-old star to receive the treatment he needs before it gets worse. “I said, ‘What would Beth do,’ ” the cardiothoracic surgeon continues. ” ‘What would she say to you? I don’t think she’d be happy with what you’re doing. You’re throwing away your life, you’re throwing away your ability to parent your kids. You have to man up.’ That’s what she would say.”

While he hates going to the doctor, Dog has eventually come to an agreement. “I hesitated for a minute thinking, I don’t want to have to go through this again,” he shares. “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.”

The “Dog’s Most Wanted” star is now on blood thinners, a healthy diet and trying to quit smoking. “Once this goes away, I am 100 percent,” he says optimistically. “I’ve had fears. The blood clot is not a normal thing but it happens a lot, but I’m going to be 100 percent. I’m encouraged by it.”