Sad news about John Ritter

[JonS]

I read that John Ritter's cause of death was a "dissection of the aorta, the result of an unrecognized flaw in his heart".

Has anyone heard any other details about this?

 

[Ross]

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4644

More news at:

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20030912/D7TGSMTG0.html

 

[cookie]

I have no details to add to this sad story but I thank God I took advantage 2 years ago of a body scan offered by our local church. My husbands carotid artery on his left side was 99% blocked! A stroke waiting to happen. Needless to say, it was immediately taken care of via surgery and he is being monitored for the right side.
If it hadn't been for a very alert Doc I was seeing, I probably would be just like John Ritter. No one else heard the slight heart murmur ever and I was really asymptomatic.
I believe the body scan should be on the list of "to do" items in a yearly physical. It could save countless lives. John ritter was just too young and it could have been prevented.

 

[Mara]

Freaky, freaky.
Just amazes me that someone with John Ritter's resources and his celebrity had such a serious condition undiagnosed. When will people learn that you gotta go to the doctor at least every couple years.

Very sad for his family.

 

[Ross]

I don't know about Rob, but mine provided some symptoms that went largely unnoticed 4 months before it blew. The chest pain that I took to the ER was confused with my lung disease pain, despite the fact that I told them that the pain felt different. I had sudden pain that while felt like it could have been my lungs, felt more uncomfortable and "Just not right" and I had a cough that would not abate for anything.

I wonder if John had any symptoms that he dismissed as nothing to worry about?

 

[LoraW30]

Ross,

You're right about pains being different!!! I have to tell my doctor what specifically feels like lung pains or heart pains when I go for my check ups.


Just found out about John Ritter. I can't believe it!!!! The entertainment community has lost a terrific actor. IMHO of course.

 

[Granbonny]

Age of John Ritter

Age of John Ritter

Age 55..My wonderful active, brother-in-law was age 50..Left my sister with 2 teenage boys to raise alone. My brother-in-law loved to fish and hunt...and watch his boys play sports. Was in bed, reading, when he thought he had bad heartburn. Local hospital said same thing..but a few hours later. decided something more serious. Sent him to larger hospital an hour away.. That's when they told us. he needed surgery for life-saving...Longest night of my life..Then to ICU. Never awoke and died at 5 p.m. that day. I had to call his Mother in next state at 3 a.m..Tried to explain to a sleepy elderly Mother what was going on. By the time..she made calls for help and got there. He was gone. At the funeral..she said to me..Your children are not suppose to go before their parents. So sad... Good note..my sister is doing great..One son went to Airforce Acad. in Co..and now she is enjoying 3 Grandchildren...Never remarried. Bonnie

 

[alicia]

It really hits home, does'nt it?

Alicia

 

[McCln]

John Ritter

John Ritter

Everyone here should know that in this world of heart problems, that there are many heart conditions that are undetactable. Even though he had some money, it can't detect what is not detecable. Just be thankful he did have a rich, full life and lived everyday for himself, family and friends and did what he loved best. He had even lost his dad at a young age. Just pray for his family to get through these challenging days ahead. He was loved by everyone he knew. Take care and please encourage others to support heart disease research so that maybe someday, there may be a test to detect tears of the heart.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve