Ailing Randy Travis Suffers Stroke

Ailing Randy Travis Suffers Stroke

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

TEXAS (ANS) -- Randy Travis suffered a stroke and was undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain Wednesday evening, his publicist said.

Randy Travis (via Webster and Assoc).

According to a story by Alan Duke for CNN, Kirt Webster said the stroke is "a complication of his congestive heart failure" for which he is being treated at The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano in Texas,

"He is in critical condition," Webster said. "We will have updates as they become available. His family and friends here with him at the hospital request your prayers and support."

Earlier on Wednesday doctors for Randy Travis gave an update and more details Wednesday on the country superstar's condition since his hospitalization Sunday in Texas.

A story by Christie Dzurilla for the LA Times reported that Travis came to the ER at Baylor Medical Center in McKinney on Sunday after suffering a viral upper-respiratory infection for three weeks.

That according to Dr. William Gray, director of cardiovascular services at the medical center. The singer had been in fine health before the infection, he said.

He was admitted at Baylor McKinney with presumptive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure and was stab ilized, the LA Times reported Gray said.

Contrary to some reports, Travis did not have heart surgery, the LA Times reported his rep said Tuesday. He underwent a minimally invasive procedure to insert an Impella peripheral left ventricular assist device - a tiny heart pump - for stabilization before transferring hospitals.

The LA Times reported Rep Kirt Webster said Travis was being treated for viral cardiomyopathy.

The decision to transfer the singer had been made Monday.

"We determined together, in a joint decision, that a higher level of specialized care was appropriate and therefore we transferred him to the Heart Hospital Baylor Plano," the LA Times reported Dr. Michael Mack, director of cardiovascular disease at the Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, said in a media conference Wednesday.

He added, "Since his transfer, his condition has stabilized and he has shown signs of improvement."

The LA Times said cards and well wishes can be sent to Randy Travis, 266 Blanks Road, Tioga, Texas 762 71.