A young nanny's heart attack death as she was using a sex toy and watching pornography was most likely due to her state of sexual arousal, an inquest has heard.



Nicola Paginton, 31, was found dead at her home in Cirencester, England, in October last year, The Sun reports.



Police investigating the death also reportedly found a sex toy and a laptop computer with pornographic images lying nearby.



A Home Office pathologist told the inquest in Gloucester that the children's nanny died from a sudden heart arrhythmia, probably brought on by her heightened state of excitement.



Coroner Alan Crickmore agreed her "activity before death" likely contributed to the cardiac arrest and ruled that she died of natural causes.



Detective Sergeant Gavin Webb said Ms Paginton said her employer and her neighbour discovered Ms Paginton in her home after she failed to show up for work.



Pathologist Dr Richard Jones said she appeared to be "fit and well" before her sudden death.



"There is nothing to explain why she died in this way but I suspect sudden cardiac death," Dr Jones said.



"In Nichola's case the increase in heart rate may be associated with physical arousal."



Dr Jones added there was no evidence of prior trauma, but that a fainting episode in 2007 could indicate she had a pre-existing heart problem.