Things are looking up for Colt Ford after his recent heart attack.

The country rap star suffered a heart attack last week after performing at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row venue in Gilbert, Arizona, and was rushed to the ICU. A representative for Ford tells PEOPLE that he is continuing to receive treatment and is on the road to recovery.

On Monday, April 8, the 54-year-old musician’s team said, “Ford remains in the ICU and his condition is steadily improving,” adding, “At this time, his family requests privacy. We would like to thank everyone for their continued cooperation.” Thoughts and prayers. ”

On Friday, April 5, a representative for Ford issued a press release stating that he had suffered a heart attack the day before and was “being treated in the intensive care unit at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.”

The performer, born Jason Farris Brown, first gained attention as a professional golfer on the Nationwide Tour before pursuing a career that blended country and hip-hop music.

his debut album, Let’s run through the countrysidewas released in 2008 and featured Montgomery Gentry’s collaborations with John Michael Montgomery, Jamey Johnson, Brantley Gilbert, and more.

Ford and Gilbert co-wrote the song “Dirt Road Anthem”, which was the first time the song was featured. Let’s run through the countryside It was then recorded by Jason Aldean in 2010 and released as a single, eventually reaching number 7 on the US charts. signboard Hot 100.

Other hits with Ford as lead artist include “Back” with Jake Owen, “Driving Round Song” with Aldean, and “The High Life” with Chase Rice. .

In 2021, Ford revealed that he had been diagnosed with eye cancer. “My doctor told me I had a week to 10 days left before I had to undergo full chemotherapy,” he told PEOPLE at the time.

He returned to the stage a few days after the surgery. “A lot of my friends have asked me, ‘Why didn’t you tell me?'” he said at the time. “But I thought everyone was dealing with a lot of things and stress.”

This diagnosis and surgery changed Ford’s outlook on life. “I thought…everything I’ve done is stupid, I could have killed myself so many times, and this is what will save me?” he explained.

“I know that God will never put anything on you that you can’t handle, but maybe He trusts me more than I realize.” Ford said at the time.

Ford survived cancer, but was later diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis, which affects the face, eyes and throat.

“It didn’t really affect my throat, but it affected my eyes a lot,” Ford said in a May 2023 interview with Taste of Country magazine. “I couldn’t control my right eye.” Stated.

“It really messes with your vision. I could see perfectly with either eye, but then if I looked at them together, I would see the three of you and you would melt together like a lava lamp. ” he continued at the time.