Randy Travis Hospitalized After Emergency Heart Surgery
Country gospel singer Randy Travis is in critical condition after having heart surgery on Monday, following his admission to a Dallas hospital the previous day.
The 54-year-old singer is said to be in critical condition and has viral cardiomyopathy, which is a weakening of the heart muscles due to infection, according to People.
"Viral cardiomyopathy can be caused by 30-plus different viruses, but it's almost impossible to pinpoint which virus it is," said Dr. Ramin Oskoui, a cardiologist and internal medicine specialist in Washington, reports CNN. "Hospitals use viral cardiomyopathy as a 'catch all' diagnosis."
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"We have been told he has had surgery," said Teresa Traywick, the wife of Randy's brother Ricky Traywick, reports People. "Our prayers are going out to him because my husband just had a heart attack last year, so it is in their family."
Travis initially thought he had a cold before being airlifted to a hospital after his condition rapidly deteriorated, reports FOX News.
"Their mother passed away at an early age with her heart, so it is like these boys are following right in their footsteps. My prayers are with them. That's all I can say right now," she continued.
Travis canceled a scheduled performance on Wednesday at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Travis was just nominated for a 2013 CMT Award for the song "Three Wooden Crosses" with The Avett Brothers.
"Sending a get well message out to my buddy @randytravis tonight. Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery," singer Tracy Lawrence Tweeted about his friend.
Last year Travis made headlines for driving while intoxicated in August after crashing his car reports the Huffington Post. He received two years of probation, a $2,000 fine and 180 day suspended jail sentence, 30 days of alcohol treatment, and 100 hours of community service.
