R&B singer Toni Braxton is living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. The vocalist has been living with the most common form of lupus since 2008, but only recently had to undergo surgery.
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In an interview with PEOPLE, the 55-year-old singer/songwriter opened up about her “traumatic” heart procedure in September. According to the CDC, the condition can cause inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. Lupus has no cure, but medical professionals advise patients to keep up with their health and adapt to a specific lifestyle to control it.
The “Un-Break My Heart” singer confessed that she did not prioritize her health in 2022 and missed several doctor appointments. By the time she stepped back into a doctor’s office, the main artery in her heart was 80% blocked.
“I kept putting it off thinking, ‘Oh, I’m fine. I’ll be okay.’ But my doctor was persistent, and I went to get tested in the last week of September. I did a specialized test, and they looked at my heart and saw some abnormalities,” she recalled to the outlet. “I found out that I needed a coronary stent. My left main coronary artery was 80% blocked. The doctors told me I could’ve had a massive heart attack. I would not have survived.”
During the health scare, the award-winning artist lost her older sister Traci Braxton to cancer. She was 50. While coping with the devastating death, she received several warning signs. However, she just thought it was her broken heart talking. Braxton told People that she remembers the day vividly.
“It was a traumatic moment for me. I was in shock. I remember that day because my chest was aching often, just hurting. I thought I was just sad because, unfortunately, my sister had just passed, and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m really aching in my heart for my sister,’” recalled the hitmaker. “And come to find out, of course, I was sad about my sister, but I also had underlining health issues.”
Quickly following the health screening, she was brought into surgery. Braxton considers this experience a “blessing in disguise” and stresses the importance of early detection. The singer admits that she will never put off testing or doctor appointments again.
“If all I have to do for my lupus and my kidney health is pee in a cup, I can pee in a cup. How many times do you need me to pee? If all I gotta do is get my arm pricked for some blood? Oh yes, I can do that. How many vials do you need?” she uttered.
In honor of Lupus Awareness month approaching, the musician teamed up with Aurinia’s Get Uncomfortable campaign. They hope to urge people to schedule check-ups and “prevent irreversible kidney damage.”
While advocating for the cause, she acknowledged that Black and Asian women are more likely to develop the condition. Braxton says knowing the status of her health makes her feel empowered.
“It’s important to get those screenings – simple things,” she noted. “The goal here is long life and old age.”
Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Byron Allen, Allen Media Group
