Country music singer Carly Pearce took to social media on Thursday to share a health update, revealing that she has been diagnosed with pericarditis, a heart condition caused by the swelling of the sac surrounding the heart.
“You guys know that I’ve been dealing with some health issues and, um, through that, I have developed something called pericarditis, which is a heart issue,” Ms. Pearce continued. “I’ve been working with doctors and talking to my cardiologist and I still want to be out on the road—it’s really important to me. But we have all decided that it is in my best interest as I’m healing to, um, alter my shows a little bit.”
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter has performances scheduled throughout the summer and into the new year. She is currently touring the United States with country crooner Tim McGraw on his Standing Room Only Tour and is expected to headline the CMA Fest in June, alongside Hardy, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, and Lainey Wilson, among other country stars. That same month, she will celebrate the release of her fourth studio album, “Hummingbird,” out on June 7, with a performance at the historic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ms. Pearce will also head overseas for her Hummingbird Tour, which kicks off in Europe in February. However, as a result of her condition, the singer said her upcoming shows may “look a little bit different.”
“I have to keep my heart rate under control right now. And that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be completely fine. It just means right now I’ve got to really take this seriously,” she explained.
“If you’re coming to the shows, if you are going to be a part of any of the amazing things we have going on with ‘Hummingbird’—it is all going to be great. It just might look a little different, so I’m asking for a little bit of grace,” the singer implored.
Concluding her video, Ms. Pearce urged her followers to look after their health, too.
Messages of Support
Ms. Pearce’s candid health update triggered an outpouring of supportive messages and words of encouragement from fellow musicians and other notable figures.“Hugs and prayers for a quick and full recovery. You’ve got this,” the musical duo Tigirlily Gold wrote on her post.
Marcus Stanley, a musician who survived being shot eight times in 2004, told Ms. Pearce to “keep fighting.”
“So thankful for the strength and light you are able to share, even through this challenge,” he commented. “Praying for you right now and will keep you lifted through this. Thank you for encouraging others to listen to their body.”
Pericarditis
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the heart condition affects about 28 out of every 100,000 people each year. Although it can develop in both women and men, it is more common in the latter, typically affecting males between the ages of 16 and 65, per the American Heart Association.Pericarditis is caused by the inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like tissue that encases the heart. Although symptoms differ from one person to the next, chest pain is the most common indicator of the disorder. Other symptoms may include heart palpitations, coughing, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, and swelling of the abdomen.
Viral pericarditis, caused by viral infections, such as a common cold or the flu, is the most common form.
Other rare types include bacterial pericarditis, which can arise in those who have pneumonia or have undergone surgery, as well as chronic effusive pericarditis and constrictive pericarditis. The former is caused by fluid build-up between the two layers of the pericardium, whereas the latter occurs when the sac surrounding the heart develops scar tissue, often due to trauma to the chest, immune system conditions, or other health issues.
