His office says Senator Fetterman was hospitalized in Pittsburgh after a fall

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman suffered what his office says was a “ventricular fibrillation episode” that caused him to feel dizzy and fall during an early morning walk Thursday.

Fetterman is in good health and is hospitalized in Pittsburgh, his office said. His office said he suffered minor injuries to his face and was under “routine observation” at the hospital while doctors adjusted his treatment regimen.

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Ventricular fibrillation is the most serious form of abnormal heart rhythm and can lead to cardiac arrest — when the heart suddenly stops beating — and sudden cardiac death, according to the American Heart Association.

Ventricular fibrillation occurs in the lower chambers of the heart, and the Heart Association says its causes include cardiomyopathy, which Fetterman was diagnosed with in 2022. Cardiomyopathy can obstruct blood flow and possibly cause a heartbeat so irregular that it can be fatal.

Fetterman, 56, revealed that he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and another type of abnormal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation, after suffering a stroke during the 2022 election campaign.

Fetterman said the stroke was caused by a blood clot caused by atrial fibrillation, or atrial fibrillation, which affects the upper chambers of the heart.

Fetterman underwent surgery after the stroke to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to manage the condition.

Residual effects of his stroke include decreased auditory processing speed, called auditory processing disorder, which makes it difficult to speak smoothly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.

Weeks after joining the Senate in 2023, Fetterman was hospitalized for treatment for clinical depression. He was released six weeks later and has since urged people suffering from depression to get professional help.

Doctors say post-stroke depression is common and can be treated with medication and talk therapy.