(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Rosie O'Donnell "almost died" when she suffered a heart attack in August.

The American star was taken ill on August 14 and previously said quick internet research helped save her.

She has now opened up about the experience, saying it was much more serious than people realise. Rosie herself had no idea what had happened until she went to the doctor the next day.

"I started crying," she told People magazine. "I almost died and that's not an over-exaggeration. That's a fact."

The experience was made all the harder for Rosie as her son was with her at the time.

"My arms starting aching and my chest hurt. My son, Blake, said, 'Mommy you look very white.' I told him, 'I don't feel so good, honey,'" she recalled.

After discovering what had happened, the 50-year-old took steps to improve her health. She began a healthy eating regime and has since dropped 12lbs.

"For the first time, it wasn't hard for me. It took a heart attack for me to learn to take care of myself," she said.

"I've been given a second chance. I'm getting an extra lap now. Make it worth something, kid." (C) Cover Media