by bintangkecil on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 | Entertainment, News, World

American pop idol and superstar Michael Jackson died today in Los Angeles from apparent cardiac arrest.

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Cardiac arrest is a condition in which the electrical signals to the heart become abnormal, making it impossible for it to properly pump blood through the body. In over 90 percent of victims, death occurs.

Michael Jackson, who as a member of the Jackson 5 and then as a solo artist became one of the biggest stars in pop music history, was pronounced dead Monday at UCLA Medical Center after an apparent heart attack, the Los Angeles Times reports. He was 50.

Jackson arrived at the hospital in a deep coma following a heart attack, the Times said. The paper said Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at Jackson’s home around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed CPR as he was en route to the medical center, which is only a few minutes away from Jackson’s rented BelAir home. Reportedly, he never regained consciousness.

Photo: AP

It is too early to tell, however, the exact reasons behind the 50-year-old Jackson’s death. Undiagnosed heart disease is the leading underlying cause of cardiac arrest. However, other risk factors like a family history of the condition, previous heart attack or heart failure, and drug abuse or excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk of its occurence.

Celebrity Web site TMZ.com, which was the first to report of Jackson’s death, said LaToya Jackson was seen running from the hospital, sobbing. It was reported Jackson’s mother and at least some of his brothers were present.

Father Joe Jackson, who was the driving force behind the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson’s early singing career, was reportedly in Las Vegas.

Jackson’s death came less than a month before the start of a scheduled series of so-called comeback concerts. From July 13 to March 6, 2010, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts at London’s O2 Arena.

Check out some Michael Jackson childhood pictures here.

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