I had a friend who lost her mom suddenly within a few hours of awakening with no signs of distress prior. She had Alzheimer s with hex of CAD and was bed bound so unable to express needs. She had been coughing some early that morning so she gave her levsin for secretions the dr had ordered months back. Two hous later upon awakening, she found her mom passed away on her back with frothy white foamy secretions in her mouth. She needs closer with what happened. She asked around and people tell her heart attack or PE. Does this sound correct?
I read your question carefully, and I am sorry about your friends' loss. I agree with the people which have suggested an acute heart or lung issue such as pulmonary embolism or heart attack, they can cause such a clinical picture. An additional possibility I might add would be also a stroke, a brain hemorrhage possibly with seizures which can also cause that quick death and foam from her mouth. Of course these are only speculations, without any witnesses and information about onset and course only an autopsy can really make the diagnosis. I hope to have been of help.