John Fetterman, senator for Pennsylvania, was hospitalized this morning after a fall outside his Braddock, Pennsylvania home, his office confirmed. According to his spokesman, the 56-year-old Democrat sustained minor injuries to his face and is under medical supervision in a Pittsburgh hospital. Politico+2The Guardian+2
The incident occurred during an early morning walk when Fetterman reportedly experienced a sudden episode of light-headedness. His statement clarified that a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up” caused the fall, which prompted his transport to the hospital out of “an abundance of caution.” AP News+1
Health History Adds Context
This hospitalization adds to a series of health challenges the senator has faced in recent years. In May 2022, Fetterman suffered a stroke while campaigning, a condition linked to previously undisclosed heart issues including atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy. Following the stroke, he received a pacemaker with defibrillator support. The Washington Post+2Wikipedia+2
In early 2023, he also secured inpatient treatment for clinical depression, demonstrating a willingness to discuss mental-health struggles openly. TIME+1 With today’s incident, his team emphasized that Fetterman is doing “well” and undergoing “routine observation” while medication adjustments take place. AP News+1
The Fall: What Happened
Details surrounding the fall suggest it was sudden and unexpected. Fetterman’s spokesperson reported that he felt unusually lightheaded before the collapse. He hit the ground and sustained facial injuries, described as “minor,” then opted to remain hospitalized so doctors could fine-tune his treatment. Politico+1
In a typically candid remark, Fetterman joked about his appearance following the fall:
“If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!”