Toni Braxton is speaking publicly for the first time about a major operation she had last year. In an interview with People, the 55-year-old “Un-Break My Heart” singer revealed that she first experienced pain in her chest in September 2022, five years before she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus.
Braxton said:
“It was a terrἰfying experience for me. My heart sank; I’ll never forget the day I first felt the pain in my chest from shock and I attributed my melancholy to the fact that my sister Traci Braxton had recently pἀssed away; I remember thinking, Wow, my heart is really aching for my sister.”
She continued:
“It turned out that my health problems predated my grief over my sister’s deἀth. My body was trying to tell me something wasn’t right.”
Braxton claims she went to the doctor and was informed she needed a coronary stent since an examination revealed an 80% blockage in one of her main coronary arteries. She said that previous to having chest problems, she had delayed getting certain standard urἰne and blood tests because she thought she would be fine.
Braxton told:
“The doctors said I could have had a fἀtal heart attἀck at any moment and they were right.”
The Lupus Foundation of America states that the skin, gἀstrointestinal tract, muscles, neurological system and heart can all be affected by lupus.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) which occurs when fatty material builds up in the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart is cited as an example of a heart condition for which the LFA claims lupus increases the risk.
Braxton stated that she spent many days in the hospital following her emergency surgery which entailed the insertion of a stent (a tube) in her heart to maintain the open route. The performer promised she wouldn’t delay medical examinations again.
She said:
“The results of the test saved my life but it was a terrἰfying experience nonetheless. Putting off testing is no longer an option, so I consider this a blessing in disguise. Not if having to pee in a cup is the only thing standing between my lupus and good kidney health.”
Braxton is using the upcoming Lupus Awareness Month in May to raise awareness of the disease and encourage her Instagram followers who are coping with lupus or lupus nephritis to get tested.
A lot of Braxton’s fans found out about her struggle with lupus in 2011 when she discussed it openly with her family on their popular reality show Braxton Family Values.
You may also be interested in reading some of our other stories about other celebrities’ surgery:
- Sherri Shepherd Announced that she would be having Breasʈ Reduction Surgery
- Is Jets’ Duane Brown Return for 17th Season After Shoulder Surgery?
- Travis Barker Surgery: How Did He React After Suffering a Finger Fracture?
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