WASHINGTON — Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized “out of an abundance of caution” after falling and hitting his face during a morning walk near his home in Braddock, Pa., his office announced Thursday.
Doctors diagnosed the Pennsylvania Democrat with a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up,” meaning his heart wasn’t pumping blood correctly due to an irregular heartbeat. It can be life-threatening.
“He is doing well and receiving routine observation at the hospital,” Fetterman’s office continued. “He has opted to stay so doctors can fine-tune his medication regimen. Senator Fetterman is grateful for the EMTs, doctors, and nurses who are providing his care.”
Sen. John Fetterman suffered a fall near his home. Getty Images
The 56-year-old was “feeling light-headed” and suffered unspecified minor injuries from the fall. He received treatment at a Pittsburgh hospital.
“If you thought my face looked bad before,” Fetterman quipped in a statement, “wait until you see it now!”
The accident took place two days after the publication of the Democrat’s memoir, “Unfettered,” which relates his various health problems — including a battle with depression early in his term.
Fetterman survived a stroke back in 2022, months before his election to the Senate.
In 2023, Fetterman was hospitalized for two days after feeling light-headed.
Fetterman seen with his wife in 2022. Getty Images
A few weeks after that, he checked himself into Walter Reed Military Medical Center, where he received treatment for six weeks for clinical depression.
On Thursday, the hulking senator was in his home state of Pennsylvania at the time of his fall after voting with Republicans on Monday to reopen the government and end the record-breaking shutdown.
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The Keystone State senator has been on a media tour this week to promote his book, opening up about his recovery process.
Fetterman’s stroke left him with an auditory processing impairment that has made it difficult for him to communicate, though he has made significant improvements over the past three years.
“It changed my life,” Fetterman recalled of his stroke during an interview on “CBS Morning” this week, in which he also talked of his struggle with depression.
“I don’t know what your road for recovery is, but I promise if you stay in the game, you will get better, and I’m being here right now is a testament to that,” he said.