Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Gov. John Fetterman on May 10, 2022 at the Lemont Furnace in Pennsylvania, Joseph A. Hardy campaigns for the U.S. Senate at a meeting and greeting at Connelsville Airport.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman said Friday that he “nearly died” after suffering a stroke just days before winning the state’s Democratic Senate primary race, and is not yet ready to return to the campaign trail.
“I should have taken my health more seriously,” Fetterman said in a statement released by his campaign on Friday afternoon. “The trauma I felt on May 13 came out of nowhere. Like so many others, and especially so many men, I avoided going to the doctor, even though I knew I wasn’t feeling well. Is.”
“As a result, I almost died,” he said.
Fetterman, 52, vowed to be ready to run in the general election this November. But he acknowledged that “it will take some more time to get back on the campaign trail as I lead the primaries.”
Doctors have advised Fetterman to rest and concentrate on his recovery.
“It’s disappointing – even more so because it’s my own fault – but bear with me, I need a little more time,” he said. “I’m not back at 100% yet, but I’m getting closer every day.”
“This race is very important to Pennsylvania and the country. I’m going to prepare for it, and I can’t wait to get back on the mark,” he said.
The campaign also shared a letter from Dr. Ramesh Chandra, who wrote that if Fetterman “takes his medicines, eats healthy, and exercises, he will be fine” and “came in the US Senate without problems.” and must be able to serve”.
Chandra also noted that Fetterman was diagnosed in 2017 with an irregular heart rhythm and “decreased heart pump.”
Fetterman’s campaign statement came a day later. NBC News reported Some Democrats are concerned about the nominee’s health and the lack of a timeline for his return to the campaign trail.
Fetterman will face the eventual winner of the recount in the Pennsylvania Republican Senate primary. The two leading runners in that race are Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity physician backed by former President Donald Trump, and Dave McCormick, a former hedge fund manager.
That calculation should be completed by next Tuesday. Counties must submit their results by noon ET the next day.
The Democratic primary, by contrast, was a landslide victory for Fetterman. He won every county in the state, NBC News Estimated,
The fight to fill the seat being vacated by the GOP Sen could prove to be one of the most competitive and consequential in the mid-term elections. Democrats are trying to maintain their narrow grip on the Senate, which is evenly split between 50 Republicans and 50 senators who caucus with Democrats.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote gives Democrats the thinnest majority in the chamber.
Fetterman’s campaign said it Raised $1.6 Million He won the primary in just 24 hours. Those donations came right after Fetterman’s successful pacemaker surgery on Election Day.
Fetterman’s statement on Friday cast his stroke as a cautionary tale about seeking health care.
“I want to encourage others not to make the same mistake,” he said.
“Back in 2017, I had swollen feet and went to the hospital to be checked out. Then I found out I had heart disease. Then, I didn’t follow up. I thought losing weight and exercising would be enough. Of course it wasn’t,” Fetterman said.
“It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s something I hope others can learn from. So please: listen to your body, and be aware of the signs. Because ignoring them — and from the doctor — abstaining because you may not like what they have to tell you – could even cost you your life,” he said.
“I want to stress that this was completely preventable,” Fetterman said, noting that his cardiologist said that if he had continued to take blood thinners, “I would never have had a stroke.” does not happen.”
“I didn’t do what the doctor told me. But I won’t make that mistake again,” he said. “Taking care of others is important, but you must also include yourself.”
Chandra, of the Pittsburgh-based Alliance Cardiology, said in the letter that after Fetterman was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2017, “I was prescribed medications along with improved diet and exercise and asked to follow him again in the following months. “
“Instead, I didn’t see him again till yesterday,” Chandra wrote. “John hasn’t been to a doctor for 5 years and hasn’t continued to take his medications.”
Chandra also said that Fetterman’s pacemaker “is fully functioning and he is doing well.”
“I am sure he is taking his recovery and health very seriously this time around,” Chandra wrote.