Celebrity Apprentice Finalist, Rocker Bret Michaels Rushed to Arizona Hospital

Celebrity Apprentice finalist Bret Michaels was rushed back to the hospital and readmitted this week when he began experiencing numbness on the left side of his body. Doctor's determined the 47-year old rocker had suffered from a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as a warning or mini-stroke.

According to an update on Michaels' website, an MRI and CT Scan was done. He also "received a Doppler Ultrasound of his legs and lower abdomen looking for blood clots and most importantly an Ultrasound Bubble Test of his heart was conducted which proved positive for Patent Forum Ovale (PFO), a hole in the heart."

Transient Ischemic Attacks are caused by a blood clot that temporarily clogs an artery and an area of the brain is deprived of the blood it needs. Symptoms of TIA have a rapid onset and may last less than five minutes. TIA's are different than the usual stroke in that there are no injuries to the brain. Having had several TIA's, I know they can be quite scary to go through.

Symptoms of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) include:

- Numbness, paralysis of the face, arm, and leg usually occurring on the left side of the body
- Weakness
- Slurred speech, trouble speaking, difficulty understanding others
- Sudden blindness in one or both eyes; double vision
- Loss of balance or coordination, difficulty walking, dizziness
- Sudden severe headache

Bret Michaels' neurologist, Dr. Joseph Zabramski said, "There is no doubt that the positive Patent Forum Ovum (PFO) is devastating news to Bret and his family. The good news is that it is operable and treatable." Dr. Zabramski also believes they have diagnosed the problem that caused the TIA and feel it is "highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered just a few weeks earlier."

Janna Elias, Michaels' rep, says the rocker is in "good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK." Elias added Bret Michaels 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."

There is no doubt that Bret Michaels will continue to improve despite this setback.

Though he was expected to appear on the May 23 season finale of Celebrity Apprentice, The Washington Post reports NBC is "cautiously optimistic" that he will attend the live event in New York.

"Ultimately, it's up to Bret and his doctors if he should attend," NBC said.

Sources:
Personal Experience with multiple TIA's
BretMichaels.com [Home] - Your Source for Everything Bret Michaels
The Washington Post, Bret Michaels back in hospital after suffering 'warning stroke'