American singer Toni Braxton is opening up about a “scary” health emergency following a complication from lupus.

In an interview with People Magazine, the R&B legend, who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), shared that she had heart surgery in September after doctors discovered that her left main coronary artery was 80 per cent blocked during a screening.

According to Mayo Clinic, lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakes healthy tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them rather than targeting the bad bacteria and viruses. It causes inflammation that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Braxton, 55, said the situation was life-threatening, noting that she was at risk of having a “massive heart attack.”

The Grammy winner was diagnosed with SLE in 2008, during the interview the Un-break My Heart songstress admitted that although she’s been hospitalised from the disease numerous times, she didn’t stay on top of her routine urine and blood tests last year to assess how the lupus is affecting her organs.

“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 specialised test and they looked at my heart and saw some abnormalities. I found out that I needed a coronary stent. My left main coronary artery was 80 per cent blocked. The doctors told me I could’ve had a massive heart attack, I would not have survived,” Braxton said.

“It was a traumatic moment for me. I was in shock. I remember that day because my chest was aching often, just hurting. And I thought I was just sad because unfortunately my sister [Traci Braxton] had just passed and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m really aching in my heart for my sister.’ And come to find out, of course I was sad about my sister, but I also had underlying health issues. It was my body talking to me, telling me something’s not quite right,” she continued.

Ultimately grateful

It is reported that the singer underwent surgery two days after her screenings. A stent, a tube that helps keep the passageway open, was inserted in her heart.

Braxton was hospitalised for several days as she recovered post-surgery.

Despite the scary circumstances, Braxton said she’s ultimately grateful the issue didn’t lead to a fatal heart attack. Following the eye-opening health scare, the artiste noted that she now gets tested every three months. 

Braxton is also dedicated to paying it forward with her advocacy work aimed at raising awareness about lupus.

Now six months after getting the stent placed in her heart, the entertainer said she’s feeling good and taking her health journey day by day.