A rising country music star is sharing her health journey with fans after receiving a frightening diagnosis that has affected multiple generations of her family.
Ashley Cooke, 28, recently opened up about her diagnosis with Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic heart condition that has tragically claimed the lives of several family members. The “Never Til Now” singer revealed the news through a candid TikTok video, describing it as part of an incredibly difficult year for her family despite her career success.
“It’s a genetic thing called Brugada syndrome,” Cooke explained during a July 13 interview with Taste of Country. “A lot of my family members have passed away unexpectedly, very healthy and very young, from it. So it’s very scary.”
The condition, which the Mayo Clinic describes as “a rare but potentially life-threatening heart rhythm condition that is sometimes inherited,” affects the heart’s electrical system and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, often occurring during sleep or rest periods.
What makes Brugada syndrome particularly concerning is its silent nature. Unlike many heart conditions that present clear symptoms, this genetic disorder often provides no warning signs before potentially fatal episodes occur.
“The crazy part is, it doesn’t really impact anything about my daily life,” Cooke shared with Taste of Country. “That’s the scary part about Brugada syndrome. It just feels like a ghost around you. Because there’s no warning signs, no symptoms. It’s just one of those things where all of a sudden one day, this certain thing in your heart can just stop, and you’re just gone.”
The singer underwent multiple EKGs to reach her diagnosis and is now working closely with a cardiologist to better understand her condition and develop appropriate monitoring strategies.
A Year of Family Health Challenges
Cooke’s heart condition diagnosis comes during what she described as an “amazing career year, but a terrible personal life year” in her TikTok video. The past twelve months have brought a series of devastating health scares within her family.
The challenges began with her father receiving a cancer diagnosis for the fifth time, followed by her mother suffering a heart attack approximately four months ago. The family also experienced the loss of both of Cooke’s grandmothers, while her sister faced thyroid issues during this same period.
Adding to the emotional weight, doctors hospitalized Cooke’s mother again for chest pain around the time she posted her health update, though she later clarified that this visit turned out to be “just a scare.”
“Mom had a heart attack, dad had cancer for the fifth time, both my grandmas passed away, went through a breakup, sister had a thyroid issue, I got diagnosed with a heart condition,” Cooke listed in her “honesty hour” TikTok video.
Despite these overwhelming personal challenges, Cooke has maintained her professional commitments while using her platform to raise awareness about both the struggles and support systems that have helped her family navigate this difficult period.
Finding Strength Through Community Support
The response to Cooke’s openness has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans rallying around her and her family with messages of support and encouragement. Her TikTok comments section filled with prayers and well-wishes from followers who appreciate her honesty about the challenges she’s facing.
“It’s terrifying,” Cooke admitted to Taste of Country about living with Brugada syndrome. “It doesn’t impact anything that I do, or how I function, until one day, it maybe just could.”
Despite her personal struggles, Cooke has achieved significant professional milestones, including nominations for ACM New Female Artist of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, as well as Best New Country Artist at the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards.
Her career highlights also include winning the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year in 2024, demonstrating that she has continued to create meaningful work despite managing serious family health concerns.
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Country Star Reveals Rare Diagnosis & Shocking Family Health Crisis