Bret Michaels to Undergo Surgery to Repair Heart Defect

Bret Michaels will undergo heart surgery next year, according to media reports on Thursday. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Bret Michaels is reportedly to undergo heart surgery next year, several months after being hospitalized for having a brain hemorrhage and a subsequent “warning stroke.”

Michaels made a near-immediate recovery from the two health problems but has a defect in his heart. He is slated to go under the knife next January.

“It’s for the hole [in] his heart,” his representative told E! Online. “I don’t know any specifics.”

The 47-year-old Poison frontman has had the problem his entire life, but it was only recently discovered by doctors this spring, his representative added. Michaels confirmed that he has the heart defect back in May.

Before he gets surgery, he will embark on the Roses and Thorns tour, which ends in December. After the surgery is over, he will publish his autobiography Roses & Thorns: The Reality of My Rock & Roll Fantasy in March.

Regarding his current medical condition, Michaels is still recovering.

“Is he 100 percent? No, but he’s in good spirits, he’s having fun on the road, he loves his fans and has always said music heals him,” his representative told UK tabloid The Daily Mail.