Dog The Bounty Hunter Diagnosed With Pulmonary Embolism Following Beth Chapman's Death

We are sad to report Dog The Bounty Hunter has been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, just three months after losing his wife Beth Chapman to throat cancer.

On Monday’s upcoming episode of The Dr. Oz Show, the 66-year-old learns he has a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when one or more arteries of the heart have been blocked by blood.

Dr. Oz isn’t one to mince words as he tells the Dog’s Most Wanted star the heartbreaking truth about his diagnosis:

“You’re a ticking time bomb. You’re not going to be here with the heart the way it is right now.”

Dog (real name Duane Chapman) reveals he first learned of his condition after being hospitalized last weekend.

As we reported, the reality TV star was taken to a hospital in Colorado after feeling pain in his chest, which he initially attributed to a “broken heart”. Per updates fromTMZ, the health scare was reportedly stress and blood-pressured related.

The medical emergency certainly put things into perspective for the grieving widower…

Chapman emotionally admits he might’ve “stuck his foot in his mouth” when he said he was ready to leave this world after losing his wife and falling on hard times:

“Oh, I was afraid to die. I said, ‘please let go of my heart honey! Quit squeezing my heart.’”

Now, the former bail bondsman says he’s adopted a more hopeful mindset. He continued:

“So I take that back, I’m not afraid to die, but I don’t want to.”

At one point during their conversation, Dr. Oz offers a somber yet comforting warning to Dog about leaning into his feelings and listening to medical professionals who want to help him get better:

“Fear of death is normal. I’m surprised you don’t fear death when you’re chasing after convicts. But when you run away from doctor, that means you have to do your own doctoring.”

WATCH the teaser (below):

Despite the unfortunate news, Dog is on the road to recovery.

Chapman is currently on blood thinners and is eating healthier while working to quit smoking. We hope these changes to his lifestyle and diet can help keep him on the right track.

Speaking to People after the diagnosis, Dr. Oz says the star was “denying care that he knew would be life-saving.” He revealed:

“[Duane] was fearful. Beth had been his north star. She was the one that would go with him and keep him balanced so he could deal with these things. Losing her took away his biggest support.”

Oz continued:

“I said, ‘What would Beth do. What would she say to you? I don’t think she’d be happy with what you’re doing. You’re throwing away your life, you’re throwing away your ability to parent your kids. You have to man up.’ That’s what she would say.”

Get well soon, Dog.

[Image via Dr. Oz/YouTube /WENN]