Comedian Gilbert Gottfried Dies After Battle With Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia

April 12, 2022 — In an official statement from his family, Gilbert Gottfried, the comedian with the memorable voice, died today at age 67 reportedly following a long-term illness, Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.  

Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that’s too fast. Ventricular tachycardia is a fast heart rate that starts in the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). This type of arrhythmia may be either well-tolerated or life-threatening, requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment.

According to the NIH, "Myotonic dystrophy type 2, one of the two types of myotonic dystrophy, is an inherited muscular dystrophy that affects the muscles and other body systems (e.g., heart, eyes, and pancreas)."

For more information: www.heart.org