John Ritters family warns about aortic dissection…
For generations, one thing troubling appeared to plague the boys in John Ritter’s bloodline.
“We always heard, ‘Oh those Ritters die of their first and last heart attack,’ ” Amy Yasbeck, the beloved comic’s widow, told The Post. “[John’s dad] clutched his chest and fell over. He was 60-something years old.”
Country music star Tex Ritter’s sudden death was blamed on a cardiac emergency. Decades later, medical doctors made a comparable assumption when his son confirmed up at a Burbank hospital sweating profusely, vomiting and complaining of chest pain in September 2003.
But John wasn’t having a coronary heart assault — and his family now suspects his father didn’t either.
Actor John Ritter, who died in 2003, would have turned 78 on Sept. 17. Courtesy of the John Ritter Foundation
In actuality, the “Three’s Company” star was struggling from an aortic dissection, a medical emergency involving the physique’s largest artery that medical doctors initially failed to acknowledge before it claimed his life at 54.
“The sad truth of the matter is that because it’s so much more common for it to be a heart thing, John was treated for a heart attack before they had done any imaging, and that exacerbated it,” Amy, 64, said. “This happens way too often.”
Now, on what would have been John’s 78th birthday, his family members are sounding the alarm about aortic disease — and urging people to know their family historical past before tragedy strikes.
“We’re just ringing the alarm,” said Tyler Ritter, John’s second son and third little one with ex-wife Nancy Morgan. “If we can catch it ahead of time, we can prevent it.”
A hidden killer
An aortic dissection happens when the wall of the aorta, the physique’s main artery, tears. seen injury can then power its approach between the artery’s layers, doubtlessly cutting off blood circulation to important organs including the mind, kidneys and coronary heart, according to UChicago Medicine.
“Time is of the freaking essence when this happens,” Amy said. “Fifty percent of people don’t even make it to the hospital.”
In July, Sen. Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly at 71 after an aortic dissection. Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher, “Rent” playwright Jonathan Larson and “Growing Pains” star Alan Thicke are among the other celebrities whose lives have been cut short by the condition.
In Ritter’s case, medical doctors initially suspected a coronary heart assault and handled him accordingly. When his symptoms worsened, a second check appeared to verify their diagnosis, so they administered blood thinners and carried out a cardiac catheterization to look at his coronary heart.
Amy Yasbeck and Ritter. Courtesy of the John Ritter Foundation
It was during that process that medical doctors found the real emergency: a large aortic dissection.
According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Ritter’s family, blood thinners and catheterization have been the “exact opposite” of what Ritter needed. He required emergency surgical procedure to restore the tear, and the lawsuit argued that a chest X-ray may have revealed his enlarged aorta and pointed medical doctors toward the doubtless lifesaving operation, People reported.
Both of Ritter’s medical doctors have been in the end cleared of wrongdoing. His kids and Amy acquired settlements in other fits, including those involving the hospital where he was handled.
“Raise your suspicion of this. Maybe your family didn’t all fall off their tractors and die. Maybe they died first and then fell off their tractors.”
Amy Yasbeck
The family clues that may save your life
While aortic dissections may be lethal, the John Ritter Foundation estimates that up to 80% of sufferers may survive if the condition is recognized and handled rapidly.
The first step is simple: Find out your family historical past.
Tyler Ritter and Yasbeck at the “Wings” reunion at the John Ritter Foundation Evening from the Heart LA Sept. 12. Getty Images for The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health
The same inherited gene mutations that may cause an aortic dissection can also set off an aneurysm — a harmful bulge or weakening in the aorta’s wall that can ultimately tear. They often have no symptoms.
Other inherited circumstances, including Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve disease, can also weaken the aorta and run in households.
In fact, as many as one in 5 people with a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection have a relative with the same condition.
Researchers have discovered tons of of genetic variants across 11 genes linked to aortic disease, and they’re still wanting for more.
Genetic testing can verify for many of these identified mutations, and the outcomes can help medical doctors resolve which medicines could be helpful, how often somebody ought to get scans and whether or not preventive surgical procedure is needed. It can also help establish family members who could also be at risk.
“Raise your suspicion of this,” Yasbeck said. “Maybe your family didn’t all fall off their tractors and die. Maybe they died first and then fell off their tractors.”
Yasbeck and Ritter in the 1990 comedy “Problem Child.” Courtesy of the John Ritter Foundation
Regular imaging of the aorta can also help catch issues like an aneurysm early — giving medical doctors a likelihood to intervene before it leads to a doubtlessly lethal dissection.
“People who know their story or suspect a misdiagnosis in their family or know someone they’re related to that’s had a dissection, those are the people we want going in right this second,” Tyler, 41, said.
John’s brother was saved by a scan — and his youngsters are getting screened, too
The Ritters have taken their own advice to coronary heart. After their father’s death, each of his 4 kids started getting annual scans to keep tabs on their aortic health.
Other family have, too. Just 4 years after John’s death, his older brother Tom had lifesaving surgical procedure to substitute and restore half of his aorta after imaging checks detected a beforehand unknown aneurysm.
The surgical procedure, Tyler said, gave his uncle “a full new lease on life” — and confirmed the family just how important it’s to know your risk and keep on top of your health.
“Part of our foundation is teaching people how to be [their own] advocate,” the actor said.
That’s particularly important with aortic dissections, that are thought-about comparatively uncommon. About 20,000 instances are documented in the US each 12 months, but Yasbeck said the real quantity could also be significantly greater because many probably go undiagnosed or are attributed to other issues.
That’s why, Tyler said, it’s important to have a doctor you trust and to converse up if you are feeling like one thing is being neglected.
“If you sense — and I’ve had this personal experience — that your doctor or cardiologist is putting you down or saying you don’t know what you’re talking about, maybe find another doctor,” he urged. “You want to find your right fit.”
From left, Steven Weber, Tony Shalhoub, Amy Yasbeck, and Tim Daly attend the “Wings” Reunion at The John Ritter Foundation Evening from the Heart LA on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Getty Images for The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health
After all, family historical past isn’t the only factor that can raise the risk. Chronic, uncontrolled high blood pressure, stimulant or illicit drug use and chest trauma can also increase the percentages of an aneurysm or aortic dissection.
Remember STAT
The John Ritter Foundation recommends memorizing a simple acronym that may help you — or another person — survive an aortic dissection: STAT.
S — Suspect: Watch for warning indicators, including sudden, extreme “tearing” or “ripping” pain in the chest, back, neck or stomach. Numbness or weak spot in an arm or leg can also be a crimson flag.
T — Time: Don’t wait it out. Get to a hospital with superior cardiac surgical procedure capabilities as rapidly as potential.
A — Aortic imaging: “CAT scan is the gold standard in the emergency room,” Yasbeck said.
T — Talk: Share your family historical past with your family. Knowing their risk might help them get acceptable screening and monitoring. Talking with your doctor can also help them spot a dissection more rapidly.
If you understand you’re at risk for an aortic aneurysm or dissection, Yasbeck also recommends carrying a card in your pockets with your diagnosis and family historical past. You can also keep the knowledge in a medical profile on your telephone.
“It’s important that you’re treated for the right thing,” she said. “Our whole thing at the foundation is to be able to … aid in a world where people can avoid the suffering our family went through — and it’s working. But the fight continues.”
We present you with the trending topics. Get the best latest Entertainment news and content on our web site daily.
