Sen. John Fetterman Returns Home After Ventricular Fibrillation Episode; Posts Photo After 20 Stitches

Sen. Fetterman back home after hospitalization

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has returned to his family in Pennsylvania after a brief hospital stay following a ventricular fibrillation episode that left him light‑headed and caused a fall during an early‑morning walk on Thursday.

On Saturday, Fetterman posted a photo on X showing cuts to his nose and forehead and wrote, "20 stitches later and a full recovery, I'm back home," alongside a picture of himself with his wife, Gisele, and their children. He thanked the Pittsburgh medical team that "put me back together" and added, "See you back in DC."

What is ventricular fibrillation? Ventricular fibrillation is a life‑threatening abnormal heart rhythm that affects the heart's lower chambers and can lead to cardiac arrest if not treated promptly, according to the American Heart Association. One known cause is cardiomyopathy — a condition Fetterman disclosed in 2022 — which can impair blood flow and produce dangerously irregular heartbeats.

Fetterman, 56, previously said he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation after suffering a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign. His office reported the recent flare‑up left him light‑headed and resulted in a fall; doctors treated his facial lacerations with about 20 stitches.

There was no immediate indication of further complications. The senator expressed gratitude to his care team and indicated he expects to resume his duties in Washington soon.