Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized Thursday morning after a sudden medical episode led to a fall near his home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, according to his spokesperson.
The 56-year-old senator was out for an early morning walk on Nov. 13 when he became light-headed and fell, his team said in a statement on X. He was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital as a precaution.
Doctors determined Fetterman experienced a ventricular fibrillation flare-up — a dangerous type of irregular heart rhythm — which caused him to lose his balance and sustain minor facial injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, ventricular fibrillation “requires immediate medical attention” and is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death.
His spokesperson noted that Fetterman is in good condition and chose to remain hospitalized so doctors can adjust his medications. The senator expressed his gratitude to medical staff and even joked about the incident, saying: “If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!”
Fetterman has spoken openly about his health challenges in recent years. He suffered a stroke in May 2022 during his Senate campaign and later disclosed a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation affecting the heart’s upper chambers. While atrial fibrillation impacts the upper heart, ventricular fibrillation affects the lower chambers and can be more severe.
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At the time of his earlier diagnosis, his cardiologist, Dr. Ramesh Chandra, said Fetterman’s prognosis remained strong if he continued to follow medical guidance: “If he takes his medications, eats healthy, and exercises, he’ll be fine… he should be able to campaign and serve in the U.S. Senate without a problem.”
The senator was also hospitalized briefly in February 2023 for light-headedness, though doctors found no evidence of a new stroke.
In addition to heart-related concerns, Fetterman has been candid about his mental health. After experiencing worsening symptoms of clinical depression, he voluntarily checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in early 2023. His wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, publicly supported his decision, saying she was proud he sought care.
Following his treatment, Fetterman reflected on the importance of addressing mental health issues early: “We all can be depressed — and we all can get made healthier. Go to the doctor or whoever you’re able to… It works. And I’m so grateful.”
Fetterman gained national attention after defeating Republican Mehmet Oz in the 2022 Senate race, a key victory that helped secure a narrow Democratic majority in the chamber.
More recently, he has drawn attention — and occasionally criticism — from within his own party for taking positions that diverge from the Democratic leadership. On Nov. 10, he voted to reopen the government before negotiations were completed on extending healthcare tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.
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In an interview with The Free Press’ Bari Weiss, Fetterman defended his independence, emphasizing that he must prioritize the needs of Pennsylvania residents: “You can’t troll your way to explain to 2 million Pennsylvanians that they can’t count on their SNAP benefits.”
Speaking to CBS Mornings just one day before the fall, he highlighted his overall alignment with Democratic priorities: “I vote a 91% Democratic line… and if Democrats have a problem with somebody that votes 91% of the same times as you are… then maybe our party has a bigger problem.”
