Dance Moms’ Kelly Hyland Set to Undergo Surgery for “Leaking” Heart

Watch:‘Dance Moms’ Alum Kelly Hyland to Undergo Surgery for “Leaking” Heart

Kelly Hyland is preparing to take another step in her health journey.

The Dance Moms alum’s daughter Brooke Hyland revealed that Kelly is set to undergo open heart surgery two months after completing her second round of treatments for breast cancer.

“You guys all watched her finish up her chemo and all of her breast cancer-related things,” the 27-year-old said on TikTok June 24. “Unfortunately, right after that, she got news that she needs to get open heart surgery…I figured I would update you guys so you know what’s going on and you can send all of your prayers her way.”

Kelly, 54—who shares Brooke, Josh Hyland, 26, and Paige Hyland, 24, with ex-husband Randy Hyland—is preparing for a variety of possible approaches from doctors to treat what Brooke referred to as a “leaking” heart.

“She was originally supposed to have surgery on Friday but now she has to go in tomorrow,” she shared. “They are hoping to go in robotically but if they aren’t able to reach her heart then they will have to go in the traditional way…terrifying. Her heart is currently leaking.”

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Dance Moms’ Kelly Hyland Shares She Reached Milestone Amid Cancer Treatments

Brooke, who appeared on Dance Moms from 2011 until 2014 alongside her mom and sister, went on to detail what the Hyland family has been told about Kelly’s heart condition.

“She’s had a few different opinions from doctors, some say that she’s had it since she was younger and her valve just doesn’t close properly, others have said that it might be a side effect of the cancer because it could be a tear,” she explained. “I don’t really know. She’s getting it fixed. Thankfully, some of the scans she had gotten for her cancer actually showed that she had this, which is a blessing.”

In a follow-up video, Brooke documented a trip to her local mall to get her mom a personalized stuffed animal from Build-a-Bear Workshop.

“My mom is getting open heart surgery. I want to get her a little present, so let’s go find one,” she started off in the clip. “Her surgery just got moved—it keeps getting moved—and it will fall on a day where I will be out of town. I feel like a bear could be cute, because I know you can put your voice in them, so it could be like when she gives it a little hug I could be talking to her.”

Kelly first shared news of her cancer diagnosis in May 2024, when she opened up about some of the adjustments she’d had to make while fighting for her life.

“The toughest part for me has been accepting help from the people around me,” she told E! News at the time. “I am a very independent person and, as a mom, I’m used to being the one taking care of people, not the one being taken care of.”

“I hate feeling like I am inconveniencing anyone or being a burden in anyway,” Kelly added. “However, I am quickly learning I am on a very long and tough road, so I am going to need to learn to accept people’s help because I am very lucky to have people that want to take care of me during this time.”

Bonnie Biess/Getty Images for Lifetime

Brooke also shared how she planned to be there to support Kelly during the tough year ahead.

“She’s the strongest person I know and is there for the people she cares about without hesitation,” she told E!. “As much as I wish I could take away her pain and cure her from this horrible situation, the only thing I had the power to do is be there for her the same way she’s been there for me my whole life.”

Keep reading for more on Kelly’s cancer journey…

A Stunning Diagnosis

Just eight months after getting the all-clear, “I found a lump in my breast and booked myself a mammogram,” Dance Moms alum Kelly Hyland revealed in an exclusive interview with E! News. Diagnosed with invasive carcinoma grade 3 this spring, she added, “I was shocked that it had grown that quickly.” 

Her Support Squad

With her kids Brooke Hyland, Josh Hyland and Paige Hyland alternating who accompanies her to chemotherapy appointments, Kelly has a solid team in place. As Josh told E! News, “I know my mom is strong enough to get through this.”

Livin’ Off the Dance Floor

Kelly’s support system includes not just her three kids, but their entire Dance Moms family.

Currently taping her podcasts Back to the Barre (with Chloé Lukasiak‘s mom Christi Lukasiak) and Dear Dance Mom… (with Maddie Ziegler and Kenzie Ziegler‘s mom Melissa Gisoni, Nia Sioux‘s mom Holly Frazier and Kendall Vertes‘ mom Jill Vertes) “all of my former costars are aware of what is going on,” Kelly shared. “I’m very lucky to have such great friends and a flexible job that allows me to keep some normalcy during all of this.”

Her Treatment Plan

Currently on her second of six rounds of chemotherapy, Kelly will follow those treatments with surgery and radiation. “Then 11 more chemotherapy treatments,” she shared. “I have a long journey ahead!”

A Secret Weapon

In the hopes of preserving her hair, Kelly has been using scalp cooling system Amma during treatments. The cap “cools the scalp to a low temperature so that the blood vessels contract, reducing the blood flow to the hair follicles,” she explained. “This limits the amount of chemo drugs to the hair follicles and reduces hair loss. Let’s hope it works!”

Shopping for a New Style

Paige and Brooke were on hand for Kelly’s appointment at Pittsburgh’s Serenity Wig Salon. “Both the salon and my girls being there with me made me feel comfortable and more confident,” she explained, “as the thought of losing my hair has been hard for me.”

Her New Strands

Kelly walked away from her time at Serenity Wig Salon feeling confident in her choice. “They’re customizing the wig I chose to fit my head, coloring and styling it to my liking,” she revealed of the winning look, “and even added some baby hairs for a more realistic look.”

Her Chemo Crew

Kelly’s kids and her sister Carrie Matarazzo are taking turns accompanying her to the treatments, which can last upwards of 10 hours. “They are very long days,” Kelly explained, “so I don’t want to put that responsibility on just one person.”

Source of Strength

“My children get me through the hard moments,” Kelly said. And they inspire her to keep fighting for their shared future.

“I keep telling myself that I need to be strong for them,” she explained. “I want to get healthy and onto the other side of this, so I can be there with my kids on their wedding days, to hold their children, and for every next step in their lives.”

Mother of the Bride

Brooke’s May engagement to account manager Brian Thalman has proven to be “a great distraction,” said Kelly, who’s all in on wedding planning.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my daughters and my son,” she added. “Despite all of the craziness that they have experienced throughout their childhood, they’ve all grown into mature, humble, fun-loving adults. They’re the best kids I could ask for and I’m beyond grateful to have them in my corner during all of this and beyond!”

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