Bret Michaels Back In The Hospital With Hole In Heart

The Celebrity Apprentice finalist suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack or a “warning stroke” last night, which has landed him back in the hospital only weeks after his sudden brain hemorrhage made national news. Bret’s symptoms included a numbness on the left side of his body, and in the hospital it was revealed that in addition to the brain trauma and diabetes, the Poison singer has a (non-metaphorical) hole in his heart (otherwise known as a Patent Forum Ovale, or “PFO”). Jesus, someone page Gregory House.

Now doctors are saying it is unlikely that Michaels can return for the Apprentice finale in three days. And what about the Vh1 mini-doc set to air?

The official word from Bret’s publicist Janna Elias:

“Bret wants everyone to know he cannot thank you enough for all of the well wishes, prayers, and good vibes you have sent his way. Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive but he has made it clear he is sick and tired of being in the hospital and is ready to rock again.”

Above all else, we wish Bret a speedy recovery…those other gigs will still be waiting when he gets out. Well, maybe not Apprentice, but we’re sure Donald Trump would make room for him next season, if only for the publicity it would bring to the show. So focus on getting better, Bret!

Update: While it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the PFO is somehow connecting to the diabetes or original hemorrhage, Crushable spoke to a trauma surgeon who said it was “unlikely” that the hole in the heart was related to Bret’s diabetes. It was most likely something he was born with, and “may have just gotten worse” enough to show up on the battery of tests they would have performed after the stroke. The other possibility is that the original brain hemmorage weakened Bret’s systems enough that the PFO cut off oxygen to the brain, causing the stroke.

(Photo via WENN)