According to TMZ, Rick Ross has been hooked up to a machine that's taking over the function of his heart and lungs. Whether this is a result of organ failure or medical precaution is still unclear.

Rick Ross is in a Miami area hospital getting treatment in the cardiac unit -- a strong sign he might have suffered a heart attack which manifested itself as respiratory issues.

It is actually worth noting that his family has since come out to dismiss reports that he is plugged onto some sort of life support machines.

TMZ broke the story ... Rick was  reported he was unresponsive and "slobbing at the mouth."

We're told doctors have put him on something called ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It's a technique used to oxygenate his blood outside of his body, before it's pumped back into his body.

It's essentially a form of life support, and a clear sign of how dire the situation is.

Source: TMZ