Is John Fetterman OK? Dem Senate nominee reveals he almost died of a stroke during campaign
John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate nominee in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, revealed on Friday, June 3 that he “almost died” of a stroke he suffered days before the May 17 primary election. Fetterman currently serves as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania revealed about his stroke so as to reassure the public that his recovery is proceeding apace and to warn others against ignoring warning signs about their health.
Fetterman recalled his learning from the medical condition he suffered. He had atrial fibrillation, a chronic heart condition, and even after seeking medical attention for swelling in his feet, he failed to “follow up” with doctors about his condition, according to the candidate. Specifically, Fetterman admitted that he stopped taking the blood thinners that his doctor had prescribed.
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“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,” he said. “As a result, I almost died. I want to encourage others to not make the same mistake.” Fetterman, who is 6 feet, 8 inches, lost a significant amount of weight in recent years. He mistakenly believed that weight loss and exercise would be “enough” to replace proper medical care, he said in the statement. “Of course it wasn’t,” he said.
Fetterman also attached a letter from his cardiologist, Ramesh Chandra, attesting that he is fit to continue running for Senate and reassuring him that he is recovering at a fast pace. “If he takes his medications, eats healthy, and exercises, he’ll be fine,” Chandra wrote after a follow-up examination on Thursday. “If he does what I’ve told him, and I do believe that he is taking his recovery and his health very seriously this time, he should be able to campaign and serve in the US Senate without a problem.”
Fetterman suffered the stroke on May 13 and underwent pacemaker surgery on May 17. The stroke and surgery kept him off the campaign trail in the final days of the primary race. Fetterman nonetheless defeated Rep. Conor Lamb, his chief Democratic opponent. Gisele Barreto Fetterman, his wife, stood in for the Senate candidate at his victory party outside Pittsburgh on May 17.
Fetterman did not specify when he plans to return to the campaign trail. “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", he said.