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Randy Travis Stabilized, “Awake and Alert” After Stroke

Randy Travis is stabilized and "awake" after stroke.
Randy Travis is stabilized and "awake and alert" after suffering a stroke on July 7 following his hospitalization for a heart condition

Randy Travis is still in critical condition, but doctors say he is stabilized. The 54-year-old country singer's doctor released a new video statement giving a health update on Travis, who suffered a stroke on July 7 after being hospitalized for cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

"As a result of his heart condition, acutely, and the stroke, he was put on a ventilator to help him breathe during his hospitalization. He remains on that, but we are decreasing that support daily," Dr. Gary Erwin said. "He is breathing spontaneously with the help of the ventilator and hope to have him weaned off of that very soon breathing completely on his own."

"In terms of his stroke, he has responded well to the surgical procedure he had to relieve the pressure in his brain," he added. "We're seeing improvements in brain scans showing decreased swelling of his brain. He is awake and alert interacting with his family and friends and beginning to start doing some early physical therapy."

Erwin anticipates that Travis will remain hospitalized for "two or three weeks to stabilize his heart" before being transferred to an inpatient facility.

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Travis has a history of trouble with alcohol, but Dr. Michael Mack said the singer's heart condition was most likely not caused by that.

"He has what's called idiopathic cardiomyopathy, which means he has scarring of his heart muscle that is causing his heart to be weak and not able to support his circulation without help of either medical devices or medication," Mack explained. "From the appearance on echocardiograms, which are images of his heart, this is not the appearance of either drugs or alcohol causing the heart condition. Mr. Travis does have a family history of cardiomyopathy and it is more likely related to that." 

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Travis' fiancee, Mary Davis, also spoke out to thank friends and family for their "love and affection."

"He is responding well to voices and he sees and he understands. He's miles beyond where any of us thought he would be a few days ago," she said. "It's heart-warming to see that we have such a strong person under there that's willing to fight with us. We all know now that we had greatness to work with. We ask for your continued support. I know that Randy will be so touched by that when he understands the magnitude of it all."

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