Actor John Ritter died from an aortic dissection, where there is a break in the main artery. I can't tell you much more about aortic dissection, because I don't know much about it, but that should be enough to know if you want to research it further.

Explanation of John Ritter's Death Popular TV Star Dies After Falling Ill From Aortic Dissection WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD on Friday, September 12, 2003 Sept. 12, 2003 -- Popular TV and movie star John Ritter has died from an undetected flaw in his heart called an aortic dissection. Ritter came to fame in the 1970s TV program "Three's Company" and was experiencing a resurgence in his career with the TV comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." He was 54. An aortic dissection refers to an abnormal separation of tissues within the walls of the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic dissection results in a weakened blood vessel wall that may also rupture. Aortic dissection occurs when blood from the aorta leaves its "channel" through a small tear in the aortic wall. It forms a new channel between the inner and outer walls of the aorta. The weakened blood vessel may burst, which usually results in death if not treated immediately. Any of the following may cause aortic dissection: High blood pressure. Most patients with an aortic dissection have had high blood pressure for several years. The high blood pressure accelerates the natural processes of tissue aging and damage to the tissue, promoting a weakness of the aortic wall and increasing the risk for a tear. Processes associated with high blood pressure. Medical conditions associated with high blood pressure also increase the risk of developing an aortic dissection. These include pregnancy, lupus, polycystic kidney disease, Cushing's syndrome, temporal arteritis, cocaine abuse, and abuse of stimulants. In pregnancy, the increased frequency of aortic dissections is caused by the combination of hormonal effect on the blood vessel wall and additional high blood pressure stress. Diseases of the connective tissue. Either Marfan's syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can damage the connective tissue in the middle of the aortic wall. This damage can lead to aortic dissection. Chest injury. Severe chest injury, such as might occur in an automobile accident, may also cause aortic dissection. A family history of aortic dissection is also a risk factor. Ritter reportedly died after falling ill on the set of his new sitcom. Pain is the leading symptom of aortic dissection. A sudden onset of pain is typical at the moment of dissection. The pain is usually described as ripping or tearing and as the worst pain ever experienced. It is usually in between the shoulders on the back and might radiate to the arms or the neck. Less frequently, the pain can be felt as chest pain. The pain is very difficult to distinguish from that of angina or a heart attack. Other symptoms may include: Shock Numbness and the inability to move the legs Lack of pulse Swelling Pale skin Along with sudden death, aortic dissections can result in: Heart attack Shock Damage to the aortic valve of the heart Pericardial tamponade (blood in the heart sac) Lack of oxygen to the arms or legs Paralysis of the lower part of the body and the legs (paraplegia) Kidney failure

I think once the blood vessel is torn - there is no surgery procedure to intervene. That is such a rare thing to happen to people. But, it's definitely something to think about. It's pretty scary because I dont think there is no way to prevent it from happening. Real Scary!

his death was doubly sad because he had such a gift of being able to make people laugh and forget their own troubles for a few minutes! his famiy were very lucky to have him!

sadly he passed away in 2003,he was a talented actor and had the knack of making people laugh,he made me laugh and helped me to take things less seriously. he will be missed.

John Ritter is dead.

We sadly lost John Ritter on September 12th 2003 from an Aortic Dissection, Sadly for his widow Amy Yasbek It brought more grief and law suits.

He's making all the angels in heaven laugh as much as we did on earth!

he died

He is dead. RIP