Joe Jackson -- Pacemaker Surgery after 3 Heart Attacks

Joe Jackson suffered 3 heart attacks and just underwent surgery ... TMZ has learned.

The 87-year-old was admitted to a Sao Paulo hospital Sunday after signs of a stroke. Joe lost his vision, and a publicist says it was the result of an artery bursting behind his eye, which triggered the stroke.

Family sources tell TMZ, once in the hospital he suffered 3 heart attacks.

Joe's publicist tells TMZ, in the hospital Joe's heart stopped beating for 10 seconds but he was revived. Joe just had a pacemaker inserted and doctors are now waiting to see if it stabilizes him.

We're told Joe's family wants him flown back to the U.S. for further treatment, but for now it's too dicey.

Joe was in Brazil to celebrate his birthday.