Country singer Randy Travis is in critical condition after being admitted to a Texas hospital on Sunday. The 54-year-old “Amen” singer was reportedly admitted with complications stemming from recently contracted viral cardiomyopathy, according to his rep.
Here is information on cardiomyopathy from the Mayo Clinic’s website:
Cardiomyopathy (kahr-dee-oh-my-OP-uh-thee) is a disease that weakens and enlarges your heart muscle. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy — dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive. Cardiomyopathy makes it harder for your heart to pump blood and deliver it to the rest of your body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy can be treated. The type of treatment you’ll receive depends on which type of cardiomyopathy you have and how serious it is. Your treatment may include medications, surgically implanted devices or, in severe cases, a heart transplant.
Among the possible causes, the Mayo Clinic lists “Excessive use of alcohol over many years.” Randy Travis’ issues with alcoholism have been well-documented, including two recent alcohol-related arrests (one involving a fight in a church parking lot, and the other was after a naked Travis threatened to shoot the arresting police officers after wrecking his Trans Am). Of course, any connection at this point is purely speculation.
We wish Randy well. He seemed to be living a lot healthier and getting his life back on track prior to this incident. He even had tour dates coming up this week, including Deadwood, South Dakota on Wednesday followed by a string of concerts in Canada through the rest of the month.
