Bret Michaels Back in Hospital After Suffering 'Warning Stroke'

By Mike Hess Posted May 20th 2010 06:21PM

Rocker Bret Michaels is back in the hospital after suffering a "warning stroke" just weeks after a near-fatal brain hemorrhage. On his Facebook page, Michaels' reps released the info that says he went back to the hospital after "suffering numbness on the left side of his body." Doctors later diagnosed Michaels as having suffered a Transient Ischematic Attack (TIA), otherwise known as a warning stroke.

According to doctors, an Ultrasound Bubble test of Michaels' heart was then done, and they found a hole in his heart described as a Patent Forum Ovale.

Michaels' neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Zabramski, said, "There is no doubt that the positive Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is devastating news to Bret and his family. The good news is that it is operable and treatable and we think we may have diagnosed the problem that caused the Transient Ischemic Attach (TIA) or warning stroke."

The new health woes come just days before Bret was to make an appearance at Sunday's live finale of 'Celebrity Apprentice,' where he's in one of the final two competitors vying for the show's title.

Zabramski says that he's well aware Michaels planned on attending the New York City finale and even getting back on the road to play concerts in the near future, but now adds: "Bret's brain and body are not quite 100 percent yet, especially with the hole found in his heart. Further tests will be conducted throughout the week and I will have more information next week as to how this Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) will be treated. For now, Bret will be treated with outpatient care which includes a daily injection of Lovenox (a blood thinner to reduce the chance of blood clots) and blood tests."

Still, Zabramski says, "It is highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered just a few weeks earlier."

On April 23, Michaels made an emergency visit to the hospital after suffering a crippling headache that turned out to be a brain hemorrhage. He was in critical condition, but eventually recovered and was released. This week, Michaels spoke with Oprah Winfrey about the incident, saying, "I've never been shot, thank God, but I can tell you this: It sounded like a small handgun went off in the back of my head. They call it a thunderclap, and I've never instantaneously had a headache like that in my entire life. The word's not even a headache. It's like a migraine times 10."

In the Facebook statement, Michaels' rep says: "Bret wants everyone to know he cannot thank you enough for all of the well wishes, prayers and good vibes you have sent his way. Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive, but he has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again."

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Bret Michaels Snapshots

Music artist Bret Michaels performs during the kickoff of the "Rock of Love Bus Tour" at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort January 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Click for More Bret Pics >>>

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Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE -In this Jan. 10, 2010 photo Singer Bret Michaels arrives at the NBC Universal Winter 2010 press tour party in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE - In this April 9, 2008 file photo, Poison lead singer Bret Michaels poses for a portrait in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, file)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE -In this Jan. 10, 2010 photo Singer Bret Michaels arrives at the NBC Universal Winter 2010 press tour party in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE - In this April 9, 2008 file photo, Poison lead singer Bret Michaels poses for a portrait in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, file)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 10: (FILE PHOTO) Bret Michaels arrives at NBC Universal's Press Tour Cocktail Party at Langham Hotel on January 10, 2010 in Pasadena, California. It was reported that former Poison frontman, Bret Michaels, 47, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital Wednesday night for an excruciating headache that turned out to be a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage April 23, 2010. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 31: (FILE PHOTO) Music artist Bret Michaels performs during the kickoff of the "Rock of Love Bus Tour" at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Resort January 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was reported that former Poison frontman, Bret Michaels, 47, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital Wednesday night for an excruciating headache that turned out to be a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage April 23, 2010. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE - In this April 9, 2008 file photo, Poison lead singer Bret Michaels poses for a portrait in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, file)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

FILE -In this Jan. 10, 2010 photo Singer Bret Michaels arrives at the NBC Universal Winter 2010 press tour party in Pasadena, Calif. Michaels is recovering from an emergency appendectomy at a Texas hospital. A posting on the 47-year-old rocker's Web site says Michaels was urged to go to the hospital as he was preparing to take the stage in San Antonio on Sunday night. He had been having severe stomach pains all day "and what was assumed to be a severe case of the flu." The statement says Michaels had emergency surgery early Monday, April 12, 2010, and is now "doing well and beginning the recovery process." (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Bret Michaels Snapshots

Bret Michaels arrives at NBC Universal's Press Tour Cocktail Party at Langham Hotel on January 10, 2010 in Pasadena, California. NBC Universal's Press Tour Cocktail Party - Arrivals Langham Hotel Pasadena, CA United States January 10, 2010 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (59255898), contact WireImage.com

Bret Michaels Snapshots

Bret Michaels arrives at NBC Universal's Press Tour Cocktail Party at Langham Hotel on January 10, 2010 in Pasadena, California. NBC Universal's Press Tour Cocktail Party - Arrivals Langham Hotel Pasadena, CA United States January 10, 2010 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (17097668), contact WireImage.com

Bret Michaels Snapshots

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Comments

(184)

Thursday 20 May

By Jaded1

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At least your Granny had a stroke for an excuse, what's yours? Ignorance? Talk about incoherent...

Friday 21 May

By Kim

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Panty--You are ignorant.

By hello lana

You laughed at your grandmother when she couldn't help the way she talked! That is awful, you should ask forgiveness for being so mean! I would NEVER laugh at my grandmother!

By LAURA

Are you kidding me?Love you Bret but this is the time to rest and recuperate,I just had major surgery and after a week thought I was good to go,what happend? Im back at square one,yep bedrest.Interviews?Tours?This was a wake up call to slow down at least do it for your family.GET WELL SOON,BLESSINGS

By Kelly

Please Bret, take it easy... you must stay healthy for your children. Your body is telling you to stay relaxed. Get well soon. In my eyes you won Apprentice!

By dawn

Jacky, Are you a heartless idiot! Are you kidding me?? You think this isn't real??? I pray it doesn't happen to you or your loved ones and people think you are "milking it." Lighten up! These are all VERY valid and real health conditions.

By Sandy

With all the tests he had while he was hospitalized why was this not discovered. It seems to it takes many doctors and tests to diagnose problems that are not unusual. Get on the ball doctors!
Thank goodness his body gave him a "warning" instead of much more. I wish him a speedy recovery, but, please, take some time off! Your kids need you, Bret, and your fans love you too, but we want you in good health.

By Gomer

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Sandy, I won't repeat what you said...which is everything I would have said...you hit the proverbial nail on the head...let's hope the man gets better...for his own sake first...and then for his family...

By Wendy

Sandy,
A grown man with a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) is NOT a normal occurence. A PFO usually closes within a month or so after birth. Give the doc's a break because this is not something they would have at the top of their diagonstic work-up for an adult. We, Brett included, should be grateful that it was even found.

By bstill

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Now I've lost all respect for him and his doctors. Hollywood looking to immortalize another one of their own makes me want to puke. They all think they're larger than life!

By LARRY

TAKE IT EASY BRET MY PRAYERS ARE WTH YOU !

By alice robinson

well, I hope Bret Micheals will follow his doctors instruction and kinda take it step by step....really don't want to see him on Dr. G's show.

By Mei

It is his body screaming at him that he needs to take time off and really recover if possible. It does not take amedical degree to figure this out at all..

By jonzbeach

Christ on a cracker PopEater..can't you check anything?? It's patent foramen ovale or PFO not patent forum ovale and it's not capitalized. And TIA is not otherwise known as a "warning" stroke...nobody in the medical field ever refers to is at that. It is simply a small stroke. Absolutely is not indicative that the big one is on the way. Many people have TIAs with no other recurrence.

By Tammy

Beg to differ here. I am in the medical field and hear this often. TIA's are often refered to as mini or warning strokes. Many but not all who have TIA's are prone to "big" strokes. That aside it is a warning to Brett that it is slow down time. It's time to think of his daughters before fans.

No..I am not a doctor..one season of Grey's Anatomy is all you need. And to Sandy...TIA's are just that mini-strokes and if you are in the medical field you should know that. They are not indicative that a major stroke is on its way..THAT was the tone of the misleading article. Yes..people who experience multiple TIAs need to be cautious, but to tell people you have a TIA, now wait for the big one is incorrect. We are Grace Seattle know these things. Perhaps you hacks over on House are clueless.

and its not Ultrasound Bubble. It is a TEE with bubble test. TEE is a transesophageal echocardiogram that is performed on the inside area of your heart (through your esophagus) and in order to determine if there is a hole in your heart (PFO) they release bubbles to see if they can seem travel from one side to the next.

Wow, impressive medical verbage. I just hope you are not a doctor!

By alyssa

Who are you trying to impress with your big words??? Nobody cares...the fact is Bret is very sick and he needs to take it easy....if not for himself, for his kids, plain and simple. And, for the person who said Bret is just trying to get publicity...you're a pig!! I wouldn't wish what happened to Bret on anyone, yes, including you, you idiot!! Bret is in a world of hurt and the best thing going for him is his doctors...not his money or his fame...its the knowledge and the hands of the doctors treating for him. And, yes... maybe his will to live.

By Heather

I wish him the best. As for the person who said something about the "stupid thing on his head" in the hospital, I know I would want to fix myself up before a hospital photo, especially if it were going to be all over the place. I hope he slows down and realizes he is not immortal. Trump should just give up some of his millions to Brets charity. It is a very worthy one, and he can certainly afford it.

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