Bret Michaels to Have Heart Surgery in January

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 23rd 2010 02:45PM

Bret Michaels can't catch a break. On the heels of his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage in April, the Poison singer-turned-dating show star will head back to the hospital in January to repair a hole in his heart. According to RadarOnline.com, it's related to a condition he's had since birth.

The hole was discovered after he had a stroke, but all in all, the 'Rock of Love' alum is pretty optimistic, according to a rep.

"He said that there are times when, of course, he worries but he has great people around him and he's cautious," the source said.

"He'll rest up, have surgery, take some time off, hopefully take a family vacation and get back on the road touring and promoting his upcoming book," the rep said.

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Bret Michaels Snapshots

Bret Michaels performs onstage during the 15th Annual Rib America Festival at Military Park in Indianapolis on September 3. More Pics >>

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Bret Michaels Snapshots

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 03: Bret Michaels performs onstage while being filmed for the new Vh1 reality TV series 'Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It' during the 15th Annual Rib America Festival Day 1 at Military Park on September 3, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 23: Poison singer Bret Michaels (L) and NBC News anchor Natalie Morales arrive at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two co-hosted the show. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bret Michaels;Natalie Morales

Bret Michaels Snapshots

It's been a rough year, health-wise, for Michaels, who at the height of his tenure on 'Celebrity Apprentice' suffered a brain hemorrhage on April 23. It all started with a crippling headache that landed him in the hospital in critical condition.

"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," he told Oprah Winfrey a couple weeks after the incident.

Then in early May he was back in the hospital after suffering a stroke. 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 at the time, "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 singer spoke to PopEater in June about his month of life-threatening scares. "I combined diabetes with appendicitis with a brain hemorrhage, then a warning stroke and the PFO ... that's a five whammy cocktail punch. If you would have told me all that combined together, I would have said, 'That person has to be a goner.'"

Since recovering from the hemorrhage and the stroke, Michaels has kept himself busy with touring and TV appearances, including co-hosting duties at the Miss Universe pageant in August.

Michaels' new VH1 series 'Bret Michaels: Life As You Know It' will premiere on Oct. 18.

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Comments

(101)

Thursday 23 September

By bsti

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

F*ck No he's not, he showers with the damn thing on so he never has to take it off. Because it's just so cool ya know. I just hope he's not doing drugs on the road w/his roadies as they were pulled over and drugs were found on his tour busses. I can't figure out what it is about his eyes that bugs me but they're kinda like bug eyes.

By OLDERBLUE

He should at least sell his stocks and bonds now.

By Erika

Vote down Vote up Report this

A patent *foramen* ovale is a hole in the heart, but a patent *forum* ovale? A semi-circular place for discussion.

Friday 24 September

By Roxanne

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hopefully Bret will quickly recover after his next surgery. Poor guy.

By Ray

I'm really getting tired of Katy Perry's Ca. Girls song. It's on every damn station on the radio except for the Christian Radio Network. I tune off one station to get away from the song and it's on another and so on and so on and son. ENOUGH ALREADY! I don't give a damn what Ca. girls have on top - they aren't the only one's who have it! Many females should be careful not to bend over, some of them look like they may never straighten up again!

By Dawn

My husband had the same condition, which was repaired in NYC by two amazing doctors. Brett Michaels is fortunate to have had the condition discovered. It is usually found during autopsy after sudden death. My husband had a great recovery and is better than ever!

By Wanda Boland

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I wish Bret the best. I myself had an ASD (Atrial septal defect, or hole in my heart ) repaired over 20 years ago, and knock wood, I feel so much better . Yes, it's there when you are born, and my sister , who is older, had the same surgery. It's amazing he now has the energy he does. Best wishes Bret.

By suziebisback

When he had that degrading reality show, I was not a fan. But the more I learned about him and his situation, he's quite a guy! Now THIS! I wish you a speedy recovery Brett. I think you've gone through MORE than your share this year.

By t

You Know when my oldest son had Open Heart Surgery for a Vsd, It was sayed Most Heart Problems dont show up until there is Stress or Something bigger Like Brets Suffering his brain hemorrhage & then his stroke. So they could of Make his heart go out of wack an Dr then Finelly found the problem, SO all Saying He luck they found it an can work to get it fixed, My son had his surgery at 2 an will be 16 in december , Never would no looking at him he had Open Heart surgery to repair a Vsd. Good Luck Bret on your Recover as it is Harder on Adults then Children now a day ...Best Wishes to you

By razzi

God Lord People! At least Some us are wishing him well. What does it matter who or what he is, the man's having to go in and have surgery. Anytime anyone goes under the knife, it can be dangerous. And open heart surgery isn't a piece of cake to do, I don't care what they can do today. I had open heart surgery and it scared the day lights out of me! I'm very happy I had a great doctor to take care of me. God Bless him and I hope for him a speedy recovery.

By concerned mom

wow Bret Michaels will be my inspiration my 12yr old son was just diagnosed with this condition Patent Forum Ovale. so sad that i just learned anything about it here as my sons cardiologist just said a hole in heart from birth and he needs a procedure done with a small camera down his esphogus

By David

Sounds like a lot of jealous people around. Why all the HATE???

Wednesday 29 September

By Ryan

I hope this tool dies...

By REBECCA DUNN

And hope things go ok because i love u bret michaels and i will alway love your music.

By bill

Tired of seeing the face of this female rodeo clown on the web. Enough already, take it off

By Gianna

Whatever anyone says about Brett.........I wish him all the best in his surgery and recovery. He is a fighter and I admire that.
He does not sit around and dwell on it ..............high 5 guy!

By cartier007db9

You just never know what,s going to happen when you go to the DR, I was jokeing about getting a 50 thousand mile check up because I was turning 50 only to find I had prostate cancer, So takeing that step saved my life. see your DR it might save your life

By Rhonda

Bret, I hated to hear this news. I have tickets to see you in G
ulfport, on Oct.2nd. I will pray for you every day. So many people prayed for when you were in the hospital last time. God is with you and your fans love you. I love your music and I love how many people you have helped get through living with Type 1 diabetes. My 16 year young son was diagnosed with Type 1 this april. I told him of all the famous people who has this disease and I think it helped him see that he CAN life a full life with just a little time throughout the day to take insulin. I appreciate you for what you do for so many people. God will be with you, and so will your fans.
with love
rhonda

By Angie

Just for a quick FYI....

It's not a patent "forum" ovale...it's FORAMEN ovale.

Sorry, I had to throw that out there. I type physician reports every day and I have seen that diagnosis quite a few times.

By dbldutt

I agree with stormy: Nuts to the nay-sayers. Best wishes to you, Bret. :-)

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