Lionel Richie pauses tour after heart procedure

Lionel Richie is taking time off from touring after undergoing a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation, his representative confirmed to ABC News, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The pause affects a nationwide tour with Earth, Wind & Fire and comes after several health-related disruptions since the tour began earlier this summer, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Richie, 77, underwent a procedure for atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, his representative told ABC News. ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the representative confirmed Tuesday that Richie would step back from touring while he recovers.

"The doctor said everything went perfectly," Lionel Richie's representative said in a statement.

"Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon," the representative said.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that Richie had been touring nationally with Earth, Wind & Fire. He postponed two shows after becoming ill on stage during the first night of the tour in late June, and a source close to the tour told ABC News that Richie checked himself into a hospital in late August out of an abundance of caution.

According to Richie's website, three upcoming tour dates were scheduled for late September and early October in San Francisco, Columbus and Chicago. ABC7 Los Angeles also reported that Richie was expected to appear at the Wynn in Las Vegas in October and November for his "King of Hearts" shows.

The National Institutes of Health says atrial fibrillation affects about 1 in every 22 Americans, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.