Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in May, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to become weakened and enlarged, his doctor disclosed Friday.
The Democrat suffered a stroke in mid-May, just days before winning the nomination for Senate in Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the midterm elections in November. The statement Friday was the first public comment about the lieutenant governor’s condition since being released from the hospital. Fetterman was released more than a week after he suffered a stroke.
“Like so many others, and so many men in particular, I avoided going to the doctor, even though I knew I didn’t feel well,” Fetterman said in a statement on Friday. “As a result, I almost died. I want to encourage others to not make the same mistake.”
https://twitter.com/edokeefe/status/1532808103598735365
Cardiomyopathy is a condition that can disrupt blood flow and cause irregular heartbeats that can be fatal. However, Fetterman’s doctor says he should be fine if he eats healthy foods, takes medication, and regularly exercises.
Fetterman, 52, had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, in 2017 after experiencing swelling in his feet. The lieutenant governor was instructed to return for a follow-up appointment in the next few months but did not return until Thursday — five years after his initial diagnosis.
Fetterman acknowledged that he should have taken his health more seriously, noting what happened was “completely preventable.”
“It’s not something I’m proud of, but it is something I hope others can learn from,” he said. “I didn’t do what the doctor told me. But I won’t make that mistake again. Taking care of others is important but you must include yourself in there too.”
https://twitter.com/giselefetterman/status/1528403948880658432
Doctors gave Fetterman a pacemaker after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and noted that if he follows instructions on taking care of his health, he should “be able to campaign and serve in the U.S. Senate without a problem.”
“It will take some more time to get back on the campaign trail like I was in the lead-up to the primary,” Fetterman said. “It’s frustrating — all the more so because this is my own fault — but bear with me, I need a little more time. I’m not quite back to 100% yet, but I’m getting closer every day. This race is so important for Pennsylvania and for the country. I’m going to be ready for it, and I can’t wait to get back on the trail.”
Fetterman defeated Rep. Conor Lamb during the Pennsylvania primaries last month to compete for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat that will be vacated by the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey. The race is considered to be a toss-up, and Democrats are trying to flip the seat blue.
This story is developing and will be updated.
