Health · Medical Research · 7 hrs ago
John Ritter's death led to screening that saved his brother's life
John Ritter died of an aortic dissection in 2003, aged 54.
His widow, Amy Yasbeck, says a screening prompted by his death found that his brother Tom had an aneurysm in the aorta, the body's main artery.
Tom had lifesaving surgery four years later, including replacement of part of his aortic arch.
The family believes their father, Tex Ritter, who died suddenly in 1974, may also have had an aortic dissection.
The cases suggest a possible inherited risk, and about one in five thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections have a family or hereditary link.
An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta and can be deadly; Yasbeck says it is often misdiagnosed.
Yasbeck is urging at-risk relatives to get echocardiograms to monitor their heart health and help prevent family tragedies.
Amy Yasbeck says screening prompted by John Ritter’s death found that his brother Tom was at risk of aortic dissection.
Tom underwent lifesaving surgery after an aneurysm was found in the ascending portion of his aorta.
John Ritter died from an aortic dissection in 2003, aged 54.
Yasbeck said the screening took place four years after John’s death.
She urged at-risk family members to get echocardiograms to monitor their heart health.
- Who
- Tom Ritter, brother of actor John Ritter, underwent surgery after screening found an aneurysm. John’s widow, Amy Yasbeck, shared the account.
- What
- Screening found Tom was at risk of aortic dissection, and he had surgery to replace his aortic arch.
- When
- The screening took place four years after John Ritter died in 2003.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- John’s death led to screening for his family. Yasbeck said the condition may have a genetic link.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tex Ritter died suddenly of what was then considered a heart attack.
John Ritter died from an aortic dissection at age 54.
Screening found an aneurysm in Tom Ritter’s ascending aorta.
Tom underwent surgery to replace his aortic arch.
- John Ritter’s death
- 2003, aged 54
- Tom Ritter’s screening
- Four years after John’s death
- Finding
- Aneurysm in the ascending portion of Tom’s aorta
- Surgery
- Tom’s aortic arch was replaced
- Tex Ritter’s death
- 1974, aged 68
What people are saying
John died in 2003 of an undiagnosed and then misdiagnosed in the emergency room thoracic aortic dissection.
now we know it’s not as rare as people thought, and there are steps you can take to avoid a family tragedy.