Celebrated actor John Amos, best for his roles as James in "Good Times" and the critically acclaimed, "Roots" series, has been hospitalized in Memphis, Tennessee, multiple media outlets are reporting.
His representative told TMZ it was due to fluid in his lower body causing heart issues.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the buildup of excess fluid in your body can take a variety of forms from belly bloating and swollen ankles to nausea, persistent coughing and fatigue. You may be tempted initially to dismiss this hodgepodge of problems as having little to do with your heart. However, they all signal water retention, which can mean trouble for people with a history of heart failure.
Heart failure may start with injury from a heart attack or develop as a result of damaged valves, infection or disease of the heart muscle cells. Many times, it is the product of years of toil against high blood pressure and clogged arteries. Regardless of what triggers the decline, heart failure culminates in a progressive weakening of your heart's power to pump.
Consequently, blood circulates through your heart and body more slowly; your cells thirst for fresh oxygen and nutrients. According to the Harvard University Medical School, to compensate for its weakened state, the heart undergoes a series of transformations.
As the fluid builds up, the nearby tissues respond by swelling. Cardiac edema occurs when the heart's diseased or overworked left ventricle (heart's lower chamber) isn't able to pump out enough of the blood it receives from your lungs. This causes the heart to hold an excess amount of fluid; therefore, swelling.
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Your body holding in excess fluid is also a symptom of congestive heart failure, along with these other symptoms:
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Wheezing.
- A cough that doesn't go away or a cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.
- Swelling of the belly area.
Amos' representative now says that he's doing better, which conflicts with a claim made by the actor's daughter, Shannon Amos, who set up and detailed in a GoFundMe that her father was "fighting for his life in the ICU" and was the victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation.
"His home had been violated, stripped of anything valuable," Shannon Amos continued.
The online fundraiser set a goal of $500,000 to cover John Amos's medical care and legal fees.
Authorities in Colorado confirmed an official investigation has been launched into the medical facility.
"We are thoroughly investigating that allegation and have consulted with our partners at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Department of Human Services," the Custer County Sheriff's Office statement said. "We have also been in contact with Mr. Amos and his attorney."
But there has been a turn of events. Amos, 83, recently told TMZ the details laid out by his daughter were untrue. He went on to say no one is abusing him and he hasn't been fighting for his life. He says he's got no idea as to why Shannon may have started the GoFundMe.
As for the hospitalization, John's rep, Belinda Foster, told TMZ he's been in the hospital because his lower body was filling with fluid, all the way to his abdomen, and causing issues with his heart. Foster also claims doctors have been able to drain all of it.
A search of online public records indicates John Amos has resided in the towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff since 2019. Westcliffe is the Custer County seat (county capital).
In addition to his Emmy nomination for Roots, Amos has also been nominated for a CableACE award, an NAACP Image Award, and a DVD Exclusive Award. Amos has won three TV Land Awards, taking home trophies for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Good Times and the TV miniseries Roots.
In 2020, Amos was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Amos is also veteran of the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard and Honorary Master Chief of the United States Coast Guard.
