Irv Gotti passed away after suffering a “massive hemorrhagic stroke,” and his health issues were compounded by never going to the doctor … so says his brother.

Chris Lorenzo — Gotti’s older brother — stopped by the “2way” podcast to talk about his little bro … and, he revealed Irv was eating Chinese food and playing poker with friends one night when he suffered the medical emergency.

According to the National Institute of Health, a hemorrhagic stroke is one which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts causing bleeding.

As we told you … Irv passed away earlier this month — about six months after he suffered a stroke partially caused by diabetes.

Gotti was open about his struggle to take insulin … though he did say he was trying to change his diet in order to take better care of himself.

Gotti’s family announced the news in a touching statement … writing, he was surrounded by friends and family when he passed and he was “leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him and the countless lives he touched.”

His funeral was held just last week … and dozens of the biggest names in hip hop and R&B — from Jay-Z and Fat Joe to Ja Rule and Ashanti — showed up to pay their respects.