John Fetterman got a defibrillator after his stroke. But doctors say the story 'doesn't make sense"

[brooklynite]

Philadelphia Inquirer

With Fetterman now the Democratic nominee in one of the most competitive and consequential Senate races in the country, the unanswered questions about his health have left some Democrats anxious — and cardiologists watching from the outside puzzled.

The uncertainty stems from how Fetterman’s campaign and his wife, Gisele, have characterized his heart condition: a common, irregular rhythm called atrial fibrillation (A-fib). They said the A-fib led to his May 13 stroke, and that is indeed a common cause of stroke. But when he got the defibrillator four days later, they said the device was implanted to treat the A-fib.

But that’s not what defibrillators are for, leading cardiologists not involved in his care to suggest that Fetterman, 52, has another heart condition the campaign hasn’t disclosed.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Anthony Pearson, a St. Louis-based cardiologist who writes The Skeptical Cardiologist blog, said of the campaign’s account of Fetterman’s health.

[Demsrule86]

1. Doing the GOP work for them are we? My you really don't like Fetterman. I am shocked...

trashing.

[brooklynite]

9. A news story by a reputable newspaper is a problem for you?

What's a problem for me is a health condition that might crop up in the Election and let Dr. Oz win.

[gab13by13]

29. Philadelphia Inquirer, lol.

Many if not most defibrillators are installed with the pace maker.

I don't think it's so much Fetterman but progressive Democrats, isn't it?

[brooklynite]

71. If it makes you feel better to think that I "hate" your candidates...

...knock yourself out.

I have no ideological preferences, only a desire to see candidates actually get elected and replace Republicans.

[Demsrule86]

73. Really, and you think this post helps Fetterman to get elected? The primary is over.

Perhaps, I don't understand how this is helping.

[brooklynite]

81. Nothing anyone posts here "helps" anyone get elected.

This is a place to discuss politics. It has no impact on voters in the outside world.

[Demsrule86]

87. You might be surprised at who lurks here and the many times I see stuff I know came

from here posted elsewhere. I would bet that this exact post turns up somewhere else.

[brooklynite]

91. I would not...

I track a lot of political news...which is where I find stories to post here.

[Deminpenn]

117. And that is exactly what's going to happen

although I know you don't believe those of us who actually live in Pennsylvania or in parts of the state outside Philadelphia.

[brooklynite]

122. I used to live in Pennsylvania; I learned politics in Pennsylvania...

I was a Ward Committeeman in Pennsylvania. And one of the lessons I learned was: never assume that what YOU believe about a candidate is what the average voter assumes. Especially the Republicans and Independents we have to add to our Democratic tally.

[Deminpenn]

124. Philadelphia is not like the rest of the state

Three decades of living there after being born and raised in western PA, matriculating in central PA, then returning to WPa taught me that. It's clear that you simply don't understand how everybody else outside of Phila thinks or the intense loyalty that western PA has to one of its own. That attitude, or should I say "attytude", doesn't exist in Phila.

Further, if Philadelphians turned out at the same percentage as the rest of the state, Dems would never lose an election. Maybe you should focus your attention on getting out the vote in that city and you wouldn't have to fret so much over Rs and Is.

[SayItLoud]

84. We are determined to eat ourselves. NT

[Captain Zero]

101. I guess the Inquirer has changed sides over the years?

Seems I remember them as a Democratic newspaper.

[Demsrule86]

32. Here is your answer...as it happens my brother got one of the these.

'An ICD can help control life-threatening arrhythmias, especially those that can cause sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Most new ICDs can act as both a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Many ICDs also record the heart's electrical patterns when there is an abnormal heartbeat. This can help the doctor plan future treatment.'

Yeah, I think this is a shitty post. And that it demonstrates a real dislike of Fetterman. There is a difference between can and should you know...I personally plan to go all in to help Fetterman win, and I would have done the same for Lamb. I wouldn't be posting an article like this about Lamb (intended to be derogatory by the source) I can assure you if Lamb had won.

The paper endorsed Lamb as you did...so this is not surprising. It is a hit piece and was run in rightie papers as well. Fetterman is the Democratic candidate now so how does this help our chances at the polls?

The truth is most people get these sorts of pacemakers these days...not a big mystery. I knew that because of my brother, but it took me less than a minute to find this fact using google. So what is the point of this article do you suppose? I think it is a hit piece- after all this paper endorsed Lamb and wrote other scathing articles about Fetterman before the primary. I would not have posted it on DU. Of course no reason you shouldn't I suppose.

[Dorian Gray]

62. he's the only Democratic

candidate that will be on the ballot, so why would we want to shake confidence in him?

I don't get it.

[Demsrule86]

68. That is a good question and it seems will not be addressed on this thread.

[brooklynite]

70. How is reporting on a story HERE "shaking confidence"?

What gets posted at DU has no impact on elections in the real world.

[Demsrule86]

76. We have all discussed this before...first of all you don't know who reads DU...people lurk.

Secondly, it demoralizes voters. This is, without doubt, all the GOP has against Fetterman besides the usual socialist accusations which won't work with Fetterman. Let's not help the Republicans by posts that insinuate Fetterman is hiding some important medical issue because that is not the case. And when we say stuff about our candidates, it is received differently than when the GOP does it and I believe is more damaging.

[brooklynite]

80. So, only GOOD news?

I don't live in a media bubble. I want to know the truth, one way or another.

[Demsrule86]

88. Yes and yes...during midterm years, let's have good news that energizes and helps get out

the vote...let's win. If you read the article. You would know the 'truth'...posting isn't about knowing the 'truth'...it is about sharing the 'truth'...only the article wasn't the truth; it was deliberately misleading. I told you my brother's doctor told us that these dual-type pacemakers were now very common and have real health benefits. I found the same information using google in a couple of minutes

There was nothing nefarious here as was implied (gasp Fetterman is hiding something! but he isn't) by this article. And I expect the doctor who IHMHO is a quack has a political reason for this opinion and doesn't support Fetterman. We are in a midterm...we need to be cheerleaders where our candidates are concerned not 'truth' seekers. We have one candidate who can win this Senate seat as the primary is over. Let's help not hinder his efforts.

[treestar]

126. This sentiment on DU

generally comes up when "corporatist" Democrats are criticized, and then we are told we should be not Tiger Beat types and surely never walk in lock-step.

[Dorian Gray]

97. I was responding to

your words: "What's a problem for me is a health condition that might crop up in the Election"

Okay... but he's the Democratic Candidate.....

[brooklynite]

113. He IS the Democratic candidate...

...and if I was a Pennsylvania voter I'd vote for him.

But as a Democrat on the money side of the equation, I have to decide whether to spend money on his campaign, or those in GA, IA, WI, OH...... as well House races, Governorships etc. Therefore I want to know if health conditions are going limit his ability to campaign effectively.

[BumRushDaShow]

99. As a note - here is what that "reputable newspaper" also published

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philadelphia-2020-election-turnout-biden-trump-20201115.html

and they STILL haven't bothered to correct it!



THIS is what really happened -




There were also excoriated for this beauty -



And they got so much national and international blowback that the paper's Editor had to resign. They should have fired that racist (long time) architecture writer hack years ago.

But if you want to use that excuse for Fetterman, then you would use it for President Joe Biden as well, who as you know, has had multiple health issues (like a large number of members of Congress and/or the Executive Branch) for years) - notably brain aneurysms when he was a sitting member of the Senate and only 46 years old.

They are all speculating. He is known to have hereditary cardiac issues within his family (I know my father's paternal side did as well which is why I have my own cardiologist). If you look at the lists of those medical devices, nowadays they are combo-units and for someone with a "family history" it would make sense to just go on and implant that version just in case rather than have to go back and do another surgery to implant one if there was a need.

It's no different than women who have inherited mutated Brca genes and have a family history of breast cancer, who go ahead and have a prophylactic mastectomy to cut their risk of it by 90+%.

[Demsrule86]

107. Reputable my ass. Terrible source.

[Noahv]

138. I have no problem with your article

Some will pretend that the Philadelphia inquirer is OANN.

[Demsrule86]

142. Have you read any of their other articles... Not what it used to be.

[Noahv]

149. Is that author a right wing nut?

Pray tell.

[BumRushDaShow]

150. Oddly

the earlier article that they put together on May 17, 2022 is different from the May 26, 2022 one, when the FUD pile-on started to happen with this bullshit Inquirer sub-header -

Unanswered questions about Fetterman's health have left some Democrats anxious — and cardiologists watching from the outside puzzled.

They don't name which "Democrats are anxious" while starting down the speculation path.

Did either of these reporters delve into the health issues that Dr. Oz admitted to, per his remarks on the Today Show just under 3 years ago?

https://www.today.com/health/dr-oz-reveals-his-mother-has-alzheimer-s-disease-t162150

I.e., he has the genetic markers that can lead to Alzheimer’s, which his mother was diagnosed with.

Of course not. Because "both sides", which is one of the things one of reporters admits is one of her "focuses", tends to go one way - https://www.inquirer.com/author/terruso_julia/

Julia Terruso

I cover politics and our divided electorate. I'm interested in what unites and separates us, shifts in voting trends, and grassroots movements.

Would you want someone who could both mentally and physically go into decline while in office be a decider for what goes on in the state of PA or the U.S. as a whole?

If you follow the "gist" of their characterizations of Fetterman's medical procedures, which neither have expertise in commenting on, and despite their including 2 different "view points" in their 2 different articles, where they could have simply said "here are the different possibilities and viewpoints", they decided to more heavily weight one to cast "doubt" and an insinuation, versus just accepting that they don't know?

Yet when it comes to Oz, you have -

No mention of Alzheimer’s from a different author pairing that included Terruso in a February 1, 2022 article.

No mention of Alzheimer’s in Terruso's March 3, 2022 article.

No mention of Alzheimer’s in the same pair's March 9, 2022 article.

Not a thing about Alzheimer’s in a triplet of authors (which includes Terruso AND the fucker who was the co-author of this bullshit that almost 2 years later, has YET to be corrected) in their May 27, 2022 article

Pray tell.

[H2O Man]

58. +1

[Demsrule86]

69. Thank you!

[H2O Man]

85. Fetterman is a very good

man and politician. He represents the type of image that the Democratic Party needs to win more elections. I'm not totally objective, admittedly, as one of my cousins knows him. She's told me for some time that he would become a national figure. I think that there are some in our party who aren't comfortable with him, because he represents change. But I'm confident that, in time, the vast majority of the party will find him to be capable of doing a good job. He will deliver.

[Demsrule86]

89. I agree and it is good change...we more like Fetterman.

[H2O Man]

115. Lots more!

[tenderfoot]

74. You Better Believe It!

[greenjar_01]

86. ROFL

[Demsrule86]

90. Thanks...like the horse!

[Diablo del sol]

93. Some people are offended by these types of Democrats

Prefer the more cerebral types.

Fuck em. Time to start knocking some repuke heads. It is the only way to save the Country.

[Demsrule86]

110. It is exactly the time. And those of you that live in blue states,, will face the same probllems

everyone does if we lose Congress.

[uppityperson]

2. Pacemakers and defibrillators do different things, for different reasons

Unless they misspoke, this is odd.

[Demsrule86]

140. I know for a fact that many if no most get pacemakers with dual functions because there better

and it is not odd...this Doctor is a Republican and we shouldn't spread his lies...but who cares because Fetterman will handle it ...just too bad that like Hillary in the General, he isn't getting the proper support from his own party.

[hlthe2b]

3. I never saw it reported that he got a defibrillator, but that he got a PACEMAKER, which is

most certainly used in atrial fibrillation. Some really bad reporting if that appeared... The need is for medical editors at some of these outlets to make sure reporting is accurate, not to call out the campaign.

[Celerity]

6. multiple articles said pacemaker, including the Inquirer

John Fetterman will get a pacemaker following stroke

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/john-fetterman-pacemaker-stroke-pa-senate-democrat-2022-election-20220517.html


Fetterman pacemaker surgery successful; Corman serving as temporary Lt. Gov.

https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/campaign-fetterman-undergoing-pacemaker-placement-surgery-tuesday/


Lt. Gov. Fetterman has heart procedure to install pacemaker days after suffering stroke

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2022/05/17/john-fetterman-stroke-pacemaker-heart-primary-united-states-senate-democrat-pennsylvania/stories/202205170127

[hlthe2b]

11. Which is CORRECT. He DID get a pacemaker. Some idiot with no medical understanding

may have written defibrillator--not knowing the difference and this is being used to smear the campaign? Really?

[Celerity]

15. it might have been a combo, which makes a difference as to the OP's claims

[hlthe2b]

16. NOOOOOO! Only if he had ventricular fib, not atrial fib. You don't know what you are talking about.

If he had pure atrial fib and received such a duo function device, ONLY the pacemaker function would be activated. Thus confusing the nomenclature strikes me as intentional from his opponents.

[Celerity]

27. not true

You don't know what you are talking about.

my series of replies described exactly what happened, in a linear fashion

[hlthe2b]

28. No. It most certainly does not. Implantable duo-function devices certainly exist, but

the defibrillator feature is not activated in those conditions where there is no indication. He received a device for the pacemaker function if his condition, as reported, was pure atrial fibrillation.

Thus the nomenclature would not refer to such duo-use devices as other than a pacemaker in the treatment of atrial fib. Though choosing to use that reference (defibrillator) certainly gives his opponents a lot of room to speculate and as in the OP to suggest the campaign had been less than forthcoming.

[Celerity]

33. I went back and looked, and every article, including the first ones that only mentioned pacemaker

in the headline, said it was a combo pacemaker with a defibrillator.

so did Fetterman himself

Link to tweet

That said, this OP seems a hit job.

[hlthe2b]

34. A lack of understanding of proper nomenclature that is being capitalized upon by his opponents

On that, we can agree.

[Celerity]

36. I do not see where we disagree at all, other than you accusing me of pushing misinfo

when I CLEARLY did not, especially when you read my replies in a linear fashion, plus you telling me I do not know what I am talking about, which is false, as I confused nothing, and never misused the nomenclature.

[hlthe2b]

38. I was referring to the OP. But, no, your confusion about the use of defibrlllators

showed you don't understand. Conflating everything to a personal argument is like this and you seem to do this as a pattern. The nomenclature issue came from the reporters and how they labeled it (and apparently the campaign in how they termed it in the press release IF uncomplicated atrial fib is the condition being treated as they stated).

[Celerity]

40. Where did I show

confusion about the use of defibrllators

?

I never conflated the types of implants, I made no false claims.

The only thing I did do was to split up my replies to you into different posts as I real-time searched for a additional information, and showed examples as to what the sources reported.

[hlthe2b]

42. Yet you claim "linear" discussion...

Okay, Celerity. Have a good evening.

[Celerity]

44. linear as in read my replies in order, and the narrative is clear. Normally I make one big post, but

did not do so in this case, much to my frustration, it turns out. This type of board doesn't not lend itself to coherence when you break up your replies and further explanatory information on the fly.

For that, I apologise, and will truly strive to revert back to my one 'longer, more comprehensive post' methodology.

Have a good evening too.

[Demsrule86]

48. +10000

[Celerity]

10. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a device similar to a pacemaker. It sends a

larger electrical shock to the heart that essentially "reboots" it to get it pumping again.

Some devices contain both a pacemaker and an ICD.

ICDs are often used as a preventative treatment for people thought to be at risk of cardiac arrest at some point in the future.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pacemaker-implantation/

[hlthe2b]

13. With decades in medicine, I can assure YOU, I know the difference. He did not get a

defibrillator. A Pacemaker, on the other hand, would have clear indications for many cases of a fib. Defibrillators are quite often used in other arrhythmias (ventricular), but NOT a fib.

[Celerity]

17. you are misunderstanding what I am saying, and it looks like it was a combo

UPDATED: Lt. Gov. Fetterman Gets Pacemaker With Defibrillator

https://levittownnow.com/2022/05/17/lt-gov-fetterman-gets-pacemaker-with-defibrillator/

[hlthe2b]

19. Then there is more going on than atrial fibrillation. This is not normal. The other cardios are

correct. He may well have cardiomyopathy. No one would implant a defibrillator on an uncomplicated case of atrial fib with bradycardia. That doesn't mean he has a poor prognosis, btw.

But I doubt seriously that he got other than a duo device with only the pacemaker function enabled and that he has pure atrial fib. By confusing the nomenclature allows for lots of speculation and I smell a political motive on the part of someone.

[gldstwmn]

75. Like someone that's a doctor?

[Demsrule86]

35. My brother was told by his doctor that pacemakers ...the dual type like Fetterman got are

much better than plain pacemakers...this is just bullshit by a paper that endorsed lamb and some right win rags as well.

[hlthe2b]

14. For Ventricular fib, yes. NOT a fib. Stop it!

You are echoing the misinformation of an ill-informed reporter

[Celerity]

23. I am NOT echoing anything, I was showing that many articles said pacemaker (like you said)

but now it appears to be a combo

UPDATED: Lt. Gov. Fetterman Gets Pacemaker With Defibrillator

https://levittownnow.com/2022/05/17/lt-gov-fetterman-gets-pacemaker-with-defibrillator/

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman was released from surgery to install a pacemaker with a defibrillator early Tuesday evening, his campaign for U.S. Senate said.

Joe Calvello, Director of Communications for Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman released the following statement:

“John Fetterman just completed a successful procedure to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator. The procedure began at 3:15pm, John was released at 5:56pm, and he has been given the all-clear that it was successful. He is resting at the hospital and recovering well. John continues to improve every day, and he is still on track for a full recovery.”

you are way out over your skis accusing me of some sort of misinformation

I have been one of Fetterman's biggest boosters here

[hlthe2b]

24. I already addressed this.

If he got a combo device then it is not simple atrial fib. It is more likely cardiomyopathy with some ventricular involvement--not a rare consequence of certain viral infections. Simple atrial fib would not be treated with other than a pacemaker or drug treatment alone, or sometimes surgical ablation of the heart for chronic intractable cases.

[Celerity]

26. ok, I just want to reiterate I posted no disinfo whatsoever, the linear flow of my replies is clear

[Demsrule86]

109. Times change. According to the literature and my brothers doctor this what is used now.

This is a hit piece from a paper that attacks Biden too. But then those who post this don't live in PA and never have.

[hlthe2b]

111. No, there is no indication for defibrillator in primary atrial fibrillation.

A dual device that includes is deactivated to include only the pacemaker function, given they are meant to shock a tachyarrhythmia (rapid, ventricular) into a normal rhythm to prevent a deadly tachycardia. Atrial fib is associated with bradycardia which then predisposes for clot formation, given 'sluggish' blood flow. For those whose condition (atrial fib is not primary and not thromboembolic stroke-related) but rather occurs after a major MI where there is ventricular damage or cardiomyopathy the defibrillator function is available for current or later necessary activation. These are very different conditions.

[Deep State Witch]

54. Both of my parents had them

And this was about 10 years ago. Big John probably even got his where both of my parents got theirs, at Allegheny General Hospital.

[Deminpenn]

63. Lancaster hospital, not AHN or UPMC

Jmo, but if Fetterman had a really serious heart condition, he'd have been stabilized in Lancaster then flown to UPMC or AHN for treatment. He is the current Lt Gov after all.

[Deep State Witch]

66. Ah... Okay

I missed that he was in Lancaster at the time.

[Raven123]

4. Maybe they just got the name wrong.

[HubertHeaver]

5. Where did the Skeptical Cardiologist go to med school?

Trump U?

[lapucelle]

41. St. Louis University School of Medicine

https://physicians.slucare.edu/details/2961/anthony-pearson-cardiovascular_disease-internal_medicine-st_louis

https://theskepticalcardiologist.com/about/?amp

[Arazi]

7. Almost every story I've read said he got a pacemaker

[dsc]

8. My dad got a pacemaker/defribullator a few years before he passed

the pacemaker did its thing but he wound up not needing the defribullator.

[AnEntireCat]

12. Clarification

So the story says:

"and the implantation of a combination defibrillator-pacemaker"

Most devices do both with the option of changing/disabling certain settings if they're not needed.

If it were just a defibrillator, then that would be cause for concern, but dual-function devices are pretty common.

[gopiscrap]

153. welcome to DU

[Triloon]

18. It makes perfect sense.

I've had such a device for many years for the same reason and it has saved me from sudden death due to tachycardia more than a few times. There is nothing uncommon or fishy about it.
Electrophysiology can explain it very neatly, but the good doctor SkepticalCardiologist already knows that. He just has some reason to not share.

[Demsrule86]

37. I expect the GOP to be full on attack mode towards Fetterman, he will very hard to beat

so we shouldn't help them by acting like there is some great mystery here. There isn't. Thanks for a great post.

[Triloon]

45. Thanks. And another thing...

Mr Fetterman's cardiac device makes him more protected against sudden death from Vtach than anyone in any room he may be in. It can strike anyone, at any time. So, it does not negatively effect his ability to serve in any way.
Conservatives depend on other's ignorance to persuade them of things. Truly sleazy.

[Demsrule86]

47. But I don't expect to find some echoing the right-wing message on DU!

[snowybirdie]

20. Hit job

Perhaps the candidate got the name of his implanted device wrong? We lay persons do that sometimes. This story seems like a deliberate hit job on the Democratic candidate. And who the heck is this doctor from St Louis? He hasn't seen the patient. Reputable physicians don't diagnose from afar.

[texasfiddler]

21. Dr. Oz wants to know!!! NT

[Baked Potato]

22. He still won. Nt

[Voltaire2]

25. Smells like a gop talking point.

[gab13by13]

30. No, it's a moderate Dem talking point.

[Doremus]

31. Yep.

[Demsrule86]

39. Talking points should be reserved for primaries not when the candidate has been chosen...

Why would anyone moderate or otherwise want Fetterman to lose?

[Voltaire2]

49. There are no moderate dems.

There is no center in a polarized political system.

[JohnSJ]

55. Not true. There are not many, but there are some on both sides. Our side wouldn't refer to them

as moderates, but as “Dinos”, and their side refers to their moderates as “rinos”

In the public they are viewed as independents

[Voltaire2]

67. There is no middle to be moderate in.

There is a fascist theocratic party and there is the opposition.

[demmiblue]

79. ...

[greenjar_01]

82. Ha!

[Demsrule86]

92. Win friends and influence people much? 😂 😂 😂

Last edited Sat May 28, 2022, 09:06 AM - Edit history (1)

Fetterman has raised a great deal of money and didn't need to beg for money I guess,..

[brooklynite]

114. Do you find that insults are a particularly useful way to communicate?

[Mr.Bill]

43. A pacemaker can also have the function of a defibrulator.

The defib function may not be activated and can be activated if ever needed without an invasive procedure. They can actually be turned on with a magnetic device against the skin. It's a case of while we are in here let's install this in case we need it later.

My source is my wife who is a retired RN with over 40 years experience who is on her third pacemaker.

[Ellipsis]

46. I was just going to say that.

I had an older friend that had one. Before that he used to have to modem into the hospital and hold the phone to his chest. Wild. When he got the new one it wasn't tuned right at first... we'd be watching a movie and all of sudden he jump and freak out. It would randomly shock him. The bleeding edge of technology, literally.

[JohnSJ]

50. I said this when this event first occurred, that Fetterman needs to release his medical records, to

quell false speculation , and from reading some comments in this thread, from people who will vote for John regardless, I suspect the republican opposition will try to take advantage of any speculation, unless those records are released.

I was criticized when that event first occurred, as being premature and callous when I suggested that if nothing else, do it for the sake of transparency. I think it is naive to think that this will not be brought up in the general election by both the republicans and the media.

I have no idea whether this issue will be of concern to the independent voter or not, but the independent voter could determine the outcome

[Demsrule86]

53. As I recall, you supported Lamb on various threads... and no he shouldn't...just gives the

GOP and his mostly GOP detractors ammunition...this is a bullshit article from a paper that endorsed Lamb. This is a common type of modern pacemaker. And Lamb lost. He will not be the candidate. And all of us need to help Fetterman win this election. Fired up and ready to go...

[JohnSJ]

59. Not true. What I have consistently said was I didn't care which Democrat won that primary as long

as the Democrat won in the general election. I am from California, not Pennsylvania.

What I have said, as soon as the Democratic nominee had been determined, I would be contributing to his campaign in the general election, and that is exactly what I have been doing.

There are a few other donations I have also been doing once their nomination was secured. Fetterman, Ryan, Beto, Warnock, and Charles Booker from Kentucky.

What I also said, as an outsider, (not from Pennsylvania), was that I believe McCormick would be a much tougher candidate to beat in a general election than Oz, and I still believe that.

Whether this paper endorsed Lamb or not, the question remains, will Fetterman's health be an issue in the campaign or not? One way to not make it an issue I think is to release the medical record.

Just look at this thread, people who want Lt. Governor Fetterman to win are speculating.

but if that doesn't happen, it may have no effect on the race.

Trump refused to release his medical records, while Hillary released hers, and we saw what happened

[Demsrule86]

64. My mistake, must have confused you with a different poster. I don't think it is a good idea

to release medical records because it gives the GOP something to attack... and they will. Hillary shouldn't have done it either...but she wanted to be honest. I think it is a mistake. Never, give the GOP anything...and this is a big nothing. This is a modern pacemaker, my brother has one... It is a big nothing and let's not give the impression otherwise. I see no purpose in this thread when the primary is over. It only helps Republicans.

[JohnSJ]

72. I am not arguing your point that most pacemakers are combination Devices. As to your second point,

what is the purpose of this for the general election? Sometimes there are threads created solely as flamebait threads, and some seem more inclined to engage in that then others

[Demsrule86]

77. So this flamebait here? Why do that? I truly...no snark don't understand that.

[JohnSJ]

96. I suspect it has something to do with psychology

[Demsrule86]

141. Don't post any medical records for Republicans period or for those who supported another candidate

who lost the primary. It is pointless. It will never satisfy them and they will twist the facts...just like this article does.

[JohnSJ]

147. Yes, that is the way it always seems to be

[treestar]

127. That was true of Bernie too

but saying that same thing would bring someone in for a world of denial that never criticizing and walking in lock step, blah, blah, blah.

I agree with you - I'm one who says these things - we do need to support the candidate rather than dwell on oppositional talking points, and that does not make us "blind cheerleaders."

[Demsrule86]

143. it make us politically savvy and we win elections...the GOP post that shit for our benefit and

one would think that at some point no Democrat would take the bait.

[VGNonly]

51. Perhaps an AV block,

maybe a 3rd degree, could explain the need for pacemaker/defibrillator.

[BannonsLiver]

52. Virtuoso shit stirring.

10/10

[greenjar_01]

83. One might even say professional

[BajaDoll]

56. Mine has both

And it was installed as a pacemaker. The newer ones have both with a 10 year battery.

[Demsrule86]

57. Most modern pacemakers do...and the information is readily available for those who want the

the real story.

[Meowmee]

60. I believe he said in his tweet

That he had a dual device implanted which many seem to have now. If he needs the defib he can qualify that.

My father had a straight pm, 3 of them- as far as I know but it was not for afib, he had an emergency episode of afib however and then not long after it was discovered he also had bradycardia and sic sinus rhythm, he passed out at the doc office and the pacemaker was for that, specifically for the electrical heart issues.

Not everyone who has afib gets a pacemaker. Some are treated with meds as my brother is now doing and some have ablation. He may need a pm of some sort eventually. He has other heart conditions. Many people have more than one condition at the same time.

A friend who had a stroke due to afib/ irregular rhythms did receive one, I don’t know the specifics of it. My father would still go in and out of afib on the pm. I think its main purpose was to stop him from passing out etc. from a slow heart rate.

[Deminpenn]

61. Post-Gazette ran a similar story last

week quoting a couple other cardiologist types. Interestingly, none of the medical professionals quoted in either story are from UPMC or AHN or Hershey/PSU. The two from in state both are in Phila with the one from Penn being unconcerned. Maybe that's because no reputable cardiologist would even think about speculating with only minimal information.

I realize you are still mad that those of us who actually live in Pennsylvania said exactly what would happen in the primary and why. Posting speculative stories doesn't help your cause imo.

[Demsrule86]

65. Excellent post. And since the primary is over, what cause can there be?

[Demsrule86]

106. + 10000

[yardwork]

152. Excellent post.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

94. Questions Grow About John Fetterman's Health

This is worrisome
https://politicalwire.com/2022/05/27/questions-grow-about-john-fettermans-health/

Questions Grow About John Fetterman’s Health
May 27, 2022 at 2:29 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 152 Comments

“It’s been more than a week since Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) celebrated his win in Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senate primary from a Lancaster hospital, where he was recovering from a stroke and the implantation of a combination defibrillator-pacemaker,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

“But the campaign’s explanation of his medical treatment doesn’t entirely make sense, according to cardiologists.”

[Demsrule86]

95. Fetterman is the candidate...why would you post this? You want to lose the seat?

And that story stems from the bullshit idea that he got a pacemaker with a defibrillator...and somehow that is significant...it is not. My brother got the same thing...most people with pacemakers do...It has a dual function and works better than the old-style ones...I am surprised and shocked at this post. I would not have expected this.

You may not like it, but Lamb is done...he couldn't win a primary and wouldn't win a general. Thus Fetterman is our candidate for the Senate. And this sort of thing could cause a loss...it truly is sad to see this on DU. Fetterman is the General election candidate and that won't change. So maybe rather than posting negative stories, we could all pull together and help him win the election.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

116. I am praying for a full recovering of Lt. Gov. Fetterman

I hope that he recovers but there are grounds to be concerned about this man's health.

[Demsrule86]

145. Ok then...he is fine. Will be back on the campaign trail this week

and will win the seat. Your prayers have been answered.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

148. I hope that you are correct

I hope that Fetterman releases his full medical records as soon as possible. There are reasons to worry that need to be addressed

[LetMyPeopleVote]

154. Wife says Fetterman's doctors 'really impressed' with his progress

I also want to hear directly from the doctors

Link to tweet

https://thehill.com/news/state-watch/3509148-wife-says-fettermans-doctors-really-impressed-with-his-progress/

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, said in a new interview that doctors are “very happy with how he is healing” from his stroke.

“The neurologists, they were really impressed with the progress. Cognitively, he’s perfect and well on his way to a full recovery,” Gisele Fetterman told Politico. “Everything went well with the cardiologists. His heart is looking good. Pacemaker is working as it’s supposed to.”

She added, however, that the doctors at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital “want him to continue to rest.”

Gisele Fetterman told the news outlet that doctors are not yet sure when it will be safe for her husband to return to the campaign trail, noting that “the campaign will have an announcement for that soon.”

[BumRushDaShow]

102. politicalwire is merely citing the same Philly Inquirer article as the OP

IMHO, this is just like what happened with Hillary Clinton and her "stumble" getting into a limo after a 9/11 event, and all the speculation and nonsense about what the cause was 2 months before the election (these tactics "work" and will get repeated over and over unless they are called out on it) -

Hillary Clinton stumbles – will her campaign follow?

By Stephen Collinson, CNN
Updated 6:32 PM EDT, Mon September 12, 2016

CNN — Hillary Clinton’s campaign is regrouping after a weekend of stumbles left her looking vulnerable at a pivotal moment of her battle with Donald Trump.

Her wobbly exit Sunday at muggy Ground Zero – captured on damaging video of Clinton lurching into the arms of her security detail – followed by a belated announcement that she has pneumonia dramatically turned the state of her health from conservative conspiracy theory into a genuine campaign issue.

But Sunday’s drama was merely a capstone on Clinton’s rough 48 hours.

Clinton aides spent Saturday cleaning up her remark that “half” of Trump’s supporters were “deplorables,” meaning racists, sexists and homophobes. The remark, for which she later expressed “regret,” suddenly united a Republican Party that has struggled to get behind its divisive nominee.

https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/11/politics/hillary-clinton-health-2016-election/index.html

Clinton’s stumble and the paradox of the vulnerable leader

Published: September 12, 2016 12.03pm EDT


Zahira Jaser
Visiting Lecturer and PhD Fellow, City, University of London


When Hillary Clinton visibly stumbled and fell at a 9/11 memorial event, the press went wild, calling it a “scare” that “shakes up the race” for the presidency of the United States. After initially saying Clinton had merely been “overheated and dehydrated” at the event, her team soon confirmed that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia and is being treated with antibiotics.

There’s a lot going on here that’s specific to the Clinton-Trump campaign: there are signs that the race may be tightening in Donald Trump’s favour, and the pressure on Clinton is arguably at a peak. But the episode gets to something much bigger: the paradoxical way we respond to visibly vulnerable leaders. We often wish our leaders could show greater vulnerability – precisely defined, to demonstrate a greater capacity to need support – but whenever they do, we are quick to judge them harshly.

https://theconversation.com/clintons-stumble-and-the-paradox-of-the-vulnerable-leader-65279

We can't get into the weeds when you had a former President who not only had a hack doctor "sign off" on a "clean bill of health" but the media soft-pedaled all of his various maladies, not the least of which was his COVID-19 infection and "supposed" treatment, where the "team if doctors" literally lied on tv in a presser.

[Demsrule86]

103. It is exactly the same. It should not be posted here.

[BumRushDaShow]

112. What is missing from being "posted" from the Inquirer is this interesting ditty

Here’s what Pa. members of Congress have said about the Texas school shooting

by Justine McDaniel and Erin McCarthy
Updated May 26, 2022


Nineteen children and two teachers were killed and several other children were shot and injured in a fourth-grade classroom in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. It was the second-deadliest school shooting recorded in U.S. history after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and it was the deadliest school shooting since the 2018 attack that killed 17 in Parkland, Fla. It was the 27th school shooting in 2022, according to Education Week, which tracks them.

Some Pennsylvania Democrats called for action to prevent future school shootings, including urging Republican senators to vote for the background-check bill passed in 2021 by the U.S. House, known as H.R. 8. Some Pennsylvania Republicans called it heartbreaking or devastating but made no calls for action in their tweets, with the exception of Bucks County’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has supported anti-violence legislation and called for a solution Wednesday.

Of Pennsylvania’s 18 U.S. House members, Democrat Conor Lamb and Republicans Lloyd Smucker, Guy Reschenthaler, and Glenn Thompson did not appear to have made public statements or tweeted by Wednesday evening. Their offices had not responded to requests for comment.

Link to tweet

Casey also spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday afternoon, where he slammed his Republican colleagues for a lack of action on gun safety legislation and invoked the reactions to Sept. 11 and World War Two.

(snip)

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/texas-school-shooting-pennsylvania-congress-twitter-reactions-20220525.html

TWEET TEXT (from Casey's tweet in excerpt)

Senator Bob Casey
@SenBobCasey
We cannot continue to stand by as more of our children are killed in mass shootings. The United States is the only country on the planet where this happens regularly.

These victims need more than thoughts and prayers. They need action. We need commonsense gun legislation. Now.
CNBC Now
@CNBCnow
BREAKING: 14 children and one teacher are dead after a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas - NBC News

https://cnbc.com/2022/05/24/hospital-dead-shooting-at-uvalde-texas-elementary-school.html
4:55 PM · May 24, 2022

[Demsrule86]

135. And that is what I expect from Lamb...side with Manchin whom we need but not another one from

PA where we can do better.

[Demsrule86]

104. The same wackadoodle doctor who recommends butter and meat for heart patients.

Is the source for both articles....so Much for loyalty.

[Deminpenn]

120. Check out the ingredient list on margerine and butter substitues

as well as mayo substitutes. It's all chemicals. That made me decide to start using real butter and real mayo. Aldi's butter with olive oil and sea salt is terrific, ftr.

[Demsrule86]

132. You don't have to use butter and there are organic olive oil types.

[GoCubsGo]

128. He's wrong about the Fetterman issue, but he's not wrong about the meat and butter.

Heart disease is not caused by eating meat or butter, or fat, in general (trans fats being the exception.) It's coming from consuming way too much sugar and other simple carbohydrates, along with things like excess sodium intake and being sedentary. Big Sugar buried research showing the link between sugar and heart disease for 50 years, while erroneously claiming that "fat that makes you fat, and it gives you heart disease."

[Demsrule86]

133. There have been studies about red meat...and it wasn't good since I love steak...that was too bad.

[Deminpenn]

136. There's a genetic component, too

nt

[Demsrule86]

144. That is true...but this guy is a bit off.

[Demsrule86]

139. This is exactly the same article. posted before...and isn't worrisome what is worrisome

is posting slime against a Democratic candidate. It is exactly the same article posted by other posters who favored Lamb. And you endanger the seat with this sort of thing...trashing. How many times are you going to post the exact same crap...and you know because you were on the other thread that the pacemaker...the modern ones are dual...we need that seat. I guess the talk about supporting the candidate who wins the primary just talked about... It is the same quack doctor undoubtedly a Republican.

[PA Democrat]

98. You know what doesn't make sense?

Posting pure SPECULATION about our candidate's medical condition by doctors who haven't treated him and don't have access to Fetterman's medical records.

That's what doesn't make sense to me.

That said I am not surprised considering the source.

[obamanut2012]

118. Gotta agree

I'm ober it. I mean, over it.

[Vinca]

100. Maybe Mrs. Fetterman isn't a cardiologist and didn't explain it properly. Sheesh. The man is on

the mend so whether he had other complicating issues or not shouldn't be a major issue as long as he's getting the proper care and can function. If any group of doctors should be front and center, it's the psychiatrists of America discussing the inexplicable worship of Donald Trump, the love of weapons of war and the numerous cults from "Q" to "Proud Boys" to religious zealots intent on ramming whatever they believe down our throats.

[Emile]

105. Looks like a right wing hit piece to me!

[obamanut2012]

119. It is

[Emile]

108. You should self delete! Trashing thread!

[Oneironaut]

121. It's probably a pacemaker. Most people aren't good with medical stuff. This is pedantry.

Politics is so dumb now. The press is so desperate to catch people in a lie or have a scandal that they take any old error by candidates and turn it into some huge scandal that doesn't exist.

There would be no reason to lie about having a defibrillator instead of a pacemaker.

[peggysue2]

123. This article gives Fetterman and his team a heads up

We should expect the campaign to be as nasty as can be. John Fetterman's wife Gisele certainly expects the nastiness to come raining down; she said as much in her last donation email. The Republicans are going to look for any and all cracks to take advantage of and split John Fetterman's popular veneer. If it's a fuzzy, not quite so accurate health report, so be it.

What to do?

Get ahead of it, defuse it and keep on trucking.

Fetterman's doctors can easily dispel any questions about said pacemaker/defibrillator/duo device and leave the Republicans empty-handed over this potential campaign weapon.

That open disclosure would also make them look like ghouls.

I don't see this as a huge issue unless you're hoping to see Fetterman stumble out of the gate. I'm not anticipating a stumble and/or John Fetterman handing the GOP a gift.

Fetterman and his team have been playing smart from the start which is how they won all 67 counties in the primary.

Fetterman for the win! Again.

[Demsrule86]

134. There is no way this article helps...never helps when your own side comes after...you Inquirer

is a right-wing rag...He put out his statement about the pacemaker and that's it no doctor bullshit for them to pick up apart...that is what they did to Hillary and we on DU shouldn't even suggest such a thing. Some just can't accept their guy Lamb lost...tough. Get over it and help us win the seat-people. Fetterman will be fine I agree with that and I fail to understand why they want a guy who is just like all the other candidates that have lost over the years. I guess some would rather lose the seat and be right about their predictions than win...which is mind-boggling. Thanks for such a great post!

[GoCubsGo]

125. Shades of Bill Frist...

Diagnosing from afar, without actually seeing the patient's medical records. Alrighty then.

[Demsrule86]

131. Fetterman has a big bad 'virus' called 'our guy lost' so instead of miller time, it is pouty time.

Do you think they are willing to lose the seat in an attempt to get him to drop out? Of course, they don't know Fetterman; he won't drop out period. I mean, this is pretty much teaming up with
the right in an attack on our Senate candidate after the primary. It is unfortunate

[llashram]

129. so he should drop out?

[Demsrule86]

130. And we would lose the seat...they wish...then they could have another almost won with Lamb

they wish.

[llashram]

137. exactly

[BradAllison]

146. The usual suspects have the dirty tricks out. n/m

[yardwork]

151. What a piece of crap headline.

Typical framing to raise doubt in the Democratic candidate. Disappointing to see it here.

"Some people say..." Garbage.