Former presidential candidate John Edwards has a life-threatening heart condition, CNN reports.

A federal judge disclosed the information Friday during a court hearing regarding Edwards’ pending trial for criminal corruption charges.

The 58-year-old had previously sought a delay in the proceedings, which was slated to begin this month, with his attorneys citing an unspecified medical issue.

Judge Catherine Eagles verified the condition with his cardiologists and Edward is expected to undergo a surgery next month.

“The letters from Mr. Edwards’s physicians are pretty clear this is a serious condition,” Eagles was quoted as saying in the Raleigh News & Observer.

As a result, the trial has now been postponed until at least March 26, a court source told reporters.

The troubled politician has been charged with violating campaign laws in order to hide his affair with Rielle Hunter. He has denied any wrongdoing.