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Pennsylvania Gov. John Feterman, a Democratic nominee in the state’s Senate race, said Friday that he “almost died” after suffering a stroke last month, in a statement revealing his condition was much more serious than before. pointed to his election campaign.
Feterman, 52, suffered a stroke on May 13 and was later implanted with a pacemaker. He said on Friday that he should have taken his health more seriously, including taking medication his doctor prescribed in 2017.
Feterman’s campaign also sent a letter from his doctor stating that the candidate had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it difficult for the heart to deliver blood to the body, but that he would be “fine” if he continued to take his medication. , exercise enough and improve your diet.
“The blow I received on May 13 did not come out of nowhere,” Feterman said in a statement. “Like many others, and especially many men, I avoided going to the doctor, even though I knew I was not feeling well. As a result, I almost died. “
He added: “I did not do what the doctor told me. But I will not make that mistake again. “
Feterman did not offer a date on which he plans to return to the campaign. He has been isolated for weeks in what is considered one of the most consistent Senate races in the country.
On the Republican side, a close contest between former television personality and cardiac surgeon Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund chief executive David McCormick is aimed at a recount and a potentially protracted lawsuit over which ballots should be counted.
In a letter released by Feterman’s campaign on Friday, the candidate’s cardiologist, Ramesh Chandra, said he last met with Feterman on Thursday to follow up on his stroke.
Chandra said he first met Feterman in 2017, when the Pennsylvania Democrat was experiencing swollen legs. Chandra diagnosed Feterman with “atrial fibrillation, irregular heartbeat, along with a low heart rate” and prescribed medication. The two were scheduled to meet for a follow-up meeting months later, Chandra said, but instead Feterman spent five years without seeing a doctor.
“Yesterday I talked to John about how, while afib was the cause of his stroke, he also has a condition called cardiomyopathy, which is why doctors in Lancaster chose to implant [pacemaker]”Chandra said.
“The prognosis I can make for John’s heart is this: if he takes his medication, eats healthily and exercises, he will be fine,” he added. “If he did what I told him, and I believe he is taking his recovery and health very seriously this time, he should be able to campaign and serve in the US Senate without a problem.
Feterman’s wife, Gisele Feterman, said in an interview last month that her husband was resting at their home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, and could not lift heavy objects.
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