TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida Senate President Ben Albritton was discharged from Shands Hospital in Gainesville late Tuesday afternoon after treatment for a blood clot, according to a memo sent to senators Wednesday morning.
Albritton and his wife, Missy, returned to Tallahassee Tuesday night. He said he will take the upcoming days to recuperate and rest.
Albritton went to the emergency room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for chest pain early Sunday morning. Physicians discovered a small blood clot in his lung during his emergency room visit.
The Senate president remained in the emergency room overnight and underwent further testing. These tests revealed a potential abnormality in his heart.
Out of an abundance of caution, Albritton was transferred to Shands Hospital in Gainesville for additional testing and observation.
Under the care of a multidisciplinary team at Shands, he underwent extensive testing and analysis of the blood clot in his lung, damage to the surrounding area of his lung, and the potential abnormality in the upper left region of his heart.
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Cardiologists at Shands determined that either there was no abnormality in his heart or it had healed, Albritton said in the memo. His heart is in great shape, he said.
Due to the recurring nature of blood clots he has experienced, Albritton will remain under the care of a hematologist and begin a medication regimen to help prevent future issues related to clotting. This marks his third blood clot in six years.
He has follow-up appointments and additional screenings to complete over the next few months as he recovers from the blood clot in his lung and adjusts to the new medication.
All previously scheduled Senate business proceeded as planned this week. Albritton had asked President Pro Tempore Brodeur to preside for the Senate sitting on Thursday.
Albritton said he received over 500 text messages of well-wishes and prayers from across the state, not including emails and calls. His wife and Senate staff also received hundreds of messages.
He said he looks forward to returning to finish the legislative session after resting.
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