Country Star Opens Up About Health Scare, Says He Fears a “Heart Attack” After Recent Diagnosis
Country singer Carly Pearce has revealed that her 2024 diagnosis of recurrent pericarditis left her frightened she might be having a heart attack, describing the experience as one that triggered anxiety about whether her heart was safe. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart, and Pearce said the uncertainty that followed her diagnosis was especially alarming because of her family’s cardiac history. Her father previously survived a widowmaker heart attack when she was 19, which made her own symptoms feel even more serious.
Speaking at her annual Carly’s Closet fundraiser, Pearce said that learning to understand the condition helped ease her fears. She explained that educating herself about recurrent pericarditis made her more confident that the worst outcomes she worried about would not happen. Pearce said she is doing well now and feels equipped to recognize what to do if she experiences a flare-up.
The singer said the condition has changed parts of her daily routine, especially exercise. Instead of pushing herself to extremes, she has adjusted her workouts and focuses on avoiding overexertion. Pearce noted that she does not feel the need to keep increasing treadmill speed or try to outwork everyone in a class, suggesting that she has adopted a more careful approach to fitness and health.
Pearce has continued touring despite the diagnosis, though she has previously said she had to reduce the intensity of her live performances. She first began experiencing symptoms in 2020, including severe chest pain and shortness of breath. In a January 2025 appearance on Today, she recalled that the chest pain improved only when she bent forward and became much worse when she lay back.
She later said on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now in February that doctors initially dismissed her symptoms, attributing them to anxiety and a busy schedule. Pearce said she kept pushing until she received the correct diagnosis, and she encouraged others to listen to their bodies and advocate for themselves when something feels wrong.
In earlier comments to Fox News Digital, Pearce said persistence was key because several doctors overlooked the severity of her condition. She credited her determination with helping her finally understand the cause of her pain and discomfort.
Pearce publicly announced her diagnosis in a now-deleted Instagram post in May 2024. Her account has drawn attention to recurrent pericarditis, the importance of proper diagnosis, and the challenges patients can face when symptoms are minimized.
