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)

Friday 24 September

By countrygirl

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To those of you that have nothing nice to say about bret or anyone else for that matter really should get a life of your own. Im sure he doesnt care about what you think either.And the couple trying to plug the dating web sites, isnt this the wrong site to do that on just GUESING ? SO IF WE ALL CAN NOT PLAY NICE MAYBE YOU NEED A TIME OUT.DIDNT YOUR MOTHERS TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY DONT SAY ANY THING AT ALL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY. P.S HEADBANDS ARE WORN MOST THE TIME TO KEEP SWEAT OUT OF YOUR EYES MAYBE THATS WHY HE WEARS THEM CAUSE HES ALREADY COOL.HES FAMOUS, HES MADE HIS MARK.HAVE YOU.

By Dawg

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He cannot take off the head band!! He is going bald and that is not a cool thing for rock stars!!

By Vinny

People that object to the bandana..He wears the wig and bandana because he is bald . Is that a crime ? The best of luck Bret .

By doc

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

maybe while under he can have them add some real hair to his head. is this another stunt to try and bring him back?

By TJ

I'm shocked-that Brett even has a heart, that is! For years, he has treated women like they have a "sell by" date. Let me guess, while he is recovering from his surgery, he will once again depend on the mother of his daughters to take care of him. But, when he is well again, he will cast her off and resume his whoring ways. Brett, please stop treating/using the mother of your children like a doormat!

By Kitchen Bob

I was never a Poison fan but I would much rather go to a thousand Poison concerts than one Justin Bieber concert. Get well Brett and take better care of yourself.

By Sandy

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I'm just wondering if he's gonna wear that headband & ratty hat into surgery, too. Think he was born with it.

By Kristin

The term is "Patent FORAMEN Ovale." Might want to give your factcheckers a Starbucks card, cuz somebody's sleeping. I mean, all it takes is a Google search!

Best wishes to Brett. He seems like a good guy and this is not a fun surgery. Get well soon.

By Gail

Actually, Kristin, it's an easy procedure to implant the device for the PFO-it's threaded up through the groin.

Nurse Gail

By benji

I wish him well, many people have this condition, even babies.
I cannot for the life of me see what people see in his so called talent, I dont see any, hate his singing, its surface crap and off key to me. His illnesses will now make him a hero in Amerika. This country is sick enough to do that, anything for sad crap, thats what made the singer win, on America got Talent.
Another American Hick, this country loves them.

By MARIE

GLAD THE MAN UPSTAIRS IS GIVING YOU MANY CHANCES AT LIFE..YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE A SIGN??? STAY WELL!!!!

By Bob Beall

I had heart surgery similar to the one that he will be having and that was in 955, I am still going strong and have every confidence that this will be succesful for you as well. God Bless. Bob

By Paul

Why is this fellow still making news,Poison isn't even around anymore is it? I don't know of any other talent he may have besides screaming into a mike. And whats with the eye liner and headband? I figure he has a receding hairline or is bald,he could be Perez Hiltons boytoy with his girlie makeup.

By Tawny

I don't know why people have to be so nasty. The health problems he has had are not due to partying, etc. People are born with diabetes and holes in their heart that don't close which can cause TIAs. Also, a brain hemorrhage and appendicitis are certaintly no fault of Bret's. Do not be judgemental as NO ONE is perfect. When you are perfect than you can judge.

By ZAN

GOOD LUCK TO HIM! I HOPE ALL GOES WELL! YOU PEOPLE ARE HATERS!

This makes no sense to me as a nurse at all-when someone is diagnosed with a PFO, they have the procedure to implant the device to close the hole right away, not 3+ months later because he could have another stroke at any time

By P.G. Smith

I had the exact same thing...had it fixed 3 years ago and doing fine. I hope he is not getting it fixed with major surgery.At Cleveland Clinic there is a physician who is an expert on PFO and he repairs it with a heart catherization procedure...overnight stay and 2 weeks off work. Very amazing.

By omad

These raving outbursts of kindness and generosity toward Bret Michaels are absolutely disgusting. Where has the milk of human kindness gone? I first became acquainted with Bret on The Apprentice where his initial bravado quickly settled into doing what was required of him. Seems like an OK guy to me, so let's support him with good wishes and prayers rather than spend our energies blasting him. He is a human being after all.

By pgsmith

I had my TIA in October and had the closure in June...no problems

By mikegotcha123

Bret is a nice guy.. Can't you whackos just accept that someone isn't as miserable and unhappy as you all seem to be?

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