John Fetterman discloses medical report and attending physician's comments

[peggysue2]

John Fetterman, the subject of recent consternation, has released his full medical report, his failure to follow his doctor's recommendations in 2017 and that his recent attack could easily done him in. The disclosure includes comments from Dr. Ramesh Chandra:

In the letter released Friday by Fetterman’s campaign, the candidate’s cardiologist, Ramesh Chandra, said he last met with Fetterman on Thursday for a follow-up after his stroke.

Chandra said he first met with Fetterman in 2017, when the Pennsylvania Democrat was experiencing swelling in his feet. Chandra diagnosed Fetterman with “atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, along with a decreased heart pump” and prescribed him medications. The two were supposed to meet for a follow-up appointment months later, Chandra said, but instead, Fetterman went five years without visiting a doctor.


The diagnosis? In addition to the Afib, Fetterman suffers from cardiomyopathy, a condition that warranted the pacemaker/defib device, along with medication, diet control and exercise.

Equally important were these comments from Dr. Chandra:

“The prognosis I can give for John’s heart is this: if he takes his medications, eats healthy, and exercises, he’ll be fine,” he added. “If he does what I’ve told him, and I do believe that he is taking his recovery and his health very seriously this time, he should be able to campaign and serve in the U.S. Senate without a problem.”

So, there it is. Fetterman (like my husband, like too many men) refused to heed the initial medical warnings and recommendations. Fetterman was very lucky under the circumstances. He should recuperate well and be good to go.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/03/fetterman-heart-condition-almost-died-pennsylvania/

[Ohio Joe]

1. Good news...

I fully expect Fetterman will serve PA excellently.

[peggysue2]

3. As do I, Ohio Joe

We need John Fetterman in the Senate and this is a race we must win. Hopefully the disclosure and his doctor's comments will calm people down and we can focus on the fight ahead.

[peggysue2]

8. I'm loathe to bring up or compare anyone to The Former Guy LOL

I can understand people wanting to have a full report and the doctor's commentary. So now it's out there, full and complete and transparent.

Time to get back to business. As in winning this election and shredding the Wizard of Oz.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. As a retired RN, and one who often worked with such patients, I agree completely.

It's unfortunate that some people need to suffer the way Fetterman did. Some of them die, and some get the message and live.

He's a very smart man and his episode of atrial fib woke him up to the stark message of do better, or possibly die or live a very diminished life.

We need you in the US Senate, John! Please be well and strong.

[peggysue2]

7. The exact right message, California Peggy

But then your messages are always right!

[MerryBlooms]

5. r&k ❤

[PTWB]

6. He will be a Senator of the people and for the people.

Go John!

[peggysue2]

9. Yes, John Fetterman is a new sort of politician

Which is why he's generated so much excitement and hope.

For the people and of the people ain't a bad start.

Go John, indeed!

[11 Bravo]

10. I'll be interested to see if "Dr." Oz tries to leverage Fetterman's medical history against him.

[Demsrule86]

12. Oz has dual citizenship...I don't even see how he can run...and He did have a pre-cancerous

polyp himself. So let him try. Also, He is a Muslim (he is not popular with GOP types)...I can't see the GOP electing this guy in a place like PA...and for what it's worth I spy on Freepers and a fair number of them don't like Oz or McCormick.

'Oz is a practitioner of transcendental meditation. He identifies as Muslim and said he "chose to align his views with Sufism, a mystical Islamic sect." In August 2010, Oz was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous polyp in the colon during a routine colonoscopy which was performed as part of his show.'

[Polybius]

29. But Oz got his medical problem taken care of by actively watching it

He also routinely gets physicals and reports the progress. Fetterman has admitted to ignoring his doctor's advice by not taking blood thinners, and never told the public. I love the guy but this doesn't look good.

[Demsrule86]

36. Who knows? I think we need a compete and accurate medical explanation from OZ...And

Fetterman won the primary so that is it. If medical shit worked even as well as it did on Hillary, I might worry but I don't think it has much influence these days...and of course, Hillary was ganged up on by Greens/other third-party riffraff and the GOP in the General. It is always worse when you are hit from both sides. He is the nominee and will win. I expect Democrats to support his candidacy vigorously as we need that seat.

[peggysue2]

15. I wondered the same thing

Oz is a former cardiothoracic surgeon. Will he attempt to weaponize John Fetterman's heart ailment and recent stroke? I don't think stooping that low will help him. However, I would bet the rest of the Republicans and Super-Pacs will definitely go there. There is no low for most GOP politicos.

The good news? This medical experience bolsters John Fetterman's push for high-quality healthcare for all Americans, something Republicans have labeled RADICAL. Had the man not sought help in a timely manner, received the diagnostics and treatment needed, he could have easily ended up severely damaged. Or dead.

Too many Americans do not to have access to the quality care offered to a John Fetterman.

Why me and not thee?

He can also speak to the all too common reaction of ignoring symptoms (particularly among men), and then deciding you can take care of things on your own. Some men just don't like (or fear) hospitals, refuse to admit anything could ever happen them or are terrified of the financial implications. This is the kind of stuff that happens to ordinary Americans all the time.

Fetterman has the opportunity to take a near disaster and turn it into another outreach to ordinary voters. Which is what has made him so popular from the start.

Can a Dr. Oz compete with that?

I don't think so.

[Demsrule86]

25. That is a really good point.

[SergeStorms]

11. And this is from a REAL Doctor, not some....

NYC quack who let TFG write his own "glowing" health report, or Dr. Feelgood in the White House who (when sober) gave TFG another "glowing" fallacious health report in exchange for a guaranteed seat in the House of Representatives.

I'm not going to name names, but these "Doctors'" initials are Dr. Harold Bornstein and "Dr. Feelgood" Ronny Jackson.

[Demsrule86]

13. Well there are going to be more than few here who wanted the other guy who will be

disappointed they can't post more OP's demanding that Fetterman's doctors release the records.

[Sympthsical]

14. I would like to hear from his doctors' doctors

And potentially their doctors.

Otherwise, how can we be sure?

[Demsrule86]

16. Somebody misunderstood the reply...so edited...

Some want every doctor in PA to weigh in only then can we be sure.... Fetterman can win this seat. 😍
I have no idea why they prefer Connor Lamb. He is like all the other candidates the came before and lost the seat.

[peggysue2]

17. I really hope that doesn't happen

We need to get on with business, as in winning Pennsylvania for the Dems. If after this disclosure and the doctor's commentary, there are still concerns or questions or calls for John Fetterman's blood type or DNA, I would seriously question the real purpose of the inquiry.

Just saying.

[Demsrule86]

24. We understand the game...their guy lost and if they can take Fetterman down, they

Last edited Sat Jun 4, 2022, 09:20 AM - Edit history (1)

probably get that guy. Of course, we lose the seat just as we did with Katie McGinty...but hey their guy would be the nominee. Of course, the General is what matters to me. A primary should be used to nominate the best candidate-other than that it is meaningless and I think we did nominate the best candidate in PA. 👍

[brooklynite]

19. Care to elaborate?

[Demsrule86]

21. That sounds like 'bait'. But hey you have seen and perhaps posted (can't remember) the ...'we

must hear from his Doctor' posts about Fetterman...and now we have. So I am sure you and other concerned folks must be very pleased and all. I still don't understand why you don't like Fetterman. Well, in any case, he is the Democratic nominee, and I have no doubt you will offer some measure of support. Fired up and ready to go.

PS...I really do enjoy 'sparring with you' and all kidding aside, I know you support all Democratic nominees. We all have ones we like more than others...but we support them all.

[brooklynite]

28. "I still don't understand why you don't like Fetterman"

As I've said before, I don't like or dislike any candidate or elected official. I only care if they're able to be competitive. To make that determination, I take into account the competitiveness of the voting pool, the platform on which the candidate will run, and their health and ability to campaign aggressively. My concerns about Fetterman (I would obviously support him as nominee, but I might not contribute to his campaign if there are better options in other States) are: a generally purple voting pool, a lack of clarity about what he'd be running on (despite my hour-long meeting with him) and (to the current point) his health.

[Voltaire2]

31. If he is the nominee?

[Demsrule86]

37. I know right. He is the nominee.

[Dorian Gray]

32. But he IS the nominee

there is no "if" there.

Also, Pennsylvania is one of those states where we must win. Need to make a hard push here.

[Demsrule86]

38. That is just nonsense. Fetterman is the nominee. The numbers in this race are better than the ones

I have seen in other states too. What better options? What states are a better shot? Name them. The primary is over and Fetterman is the nominee...no ifs, and, or buts. It is either him or a Republican. And this is considered by many an important seat for keeping a Democratic Senate majority.

I love Tim Ryan in Ohio and will work my heart out for him. And if anyone can do it. It is him. I hope he wins but it will be tough. I think he can do it. I know PA. I lived there for years and Fetterman has the best shot. We have sent so many candidates like Lamb...and they always lose. I am disappointed in your response. I must say. I would not have thought something like this would come from you.

I have supported Democratic candidates that I didn't vote for in the primary more than a few times. And you can say 'there are better opportunities all you like', I don't believe that to be the truth but a rationalization. You refuse to accept that Fetterman is the Democratic candidate...still saying 'if' Fetterman is the candidate is very telling. The primary is over. It will be either Oz or Fetterman. I choose Fetterman.

[Tree-Hugger]

20. I was surprised

I was waiting for the breathless, "We need to know every detail NOW!!!!" posts today.

[Demsrule86]

22. Well, no doubt at some point, we will hear it.

[BradAllison]

18. Well, that should settle some people's "concerns"

Kidding, they want a "do over".

Go Big John.

[Demsrule86]

23. Right, You can't have a do over.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

26. Kudos to Fetterman

For allowing his physician to release this info.

[Sugarcoated]

27. I hope the folks here that are angry he beat Lamb will stop trying to hurt Fetterman's

chances now.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216756592

[progressoid]

30. Don't hold your breath.

[Emile]

33. +1

Makes one wonder what side are they on!

[Demsrule86]

39. I have been pretty shocked at who is doing this. I admit to being surprised and disappointed.

[Nixie]

42. Why is this all over the news then?? It's everywhere on the

internet. So if it’s nothing, why is the internet on it. And before the accusations, I’ve not followed the current smear of posters, but can’t help but notice the new pile-on. A politician has health concerns. I can remember the campaign against Feinstein for age/health and I saw who led it, so how is this different now? Hmm

[Voltaire2]

43. Perhaps because it is a critical race?

Why are we busy propagating it?

[Nixie]

44. Is this a lead-in to the conspiracy that Democrats are conducting

a “whisper campaign” against Fetterman? I saw that suggested in this thread. I saw a quote from Fetterman himself that he almost died. Is he in on the conspiracy, too? Of course not. I have seen numerous headlines about his health on social media, but I didn’t start them, so who is “we”?

[Meowmee]

34. Anyone diagnosed with afib is automatically put on anticoagulants, the same day

If his doc did not do that it is malpractice.

[Liberal In Texas]

35. He probably did.

"He said Friday that he should have taken his health more seriously, including taking medication that a doctor prescribed for him in 2017."

Medications doesn't say what kind. Could have blood thinners and it sounds like Fetterman didn't take them or stopped and didn't follow up.

[Meowmee]

41. I missed that...

I would have to research it. I think it would be better to just not reveal this much maybe but it is his choice. There may be some docs who would not put every patient on them but they are wrong and certainly with his other conditions he should have been on them if not. The risk of and devastation of stroke is far greater than a risk of bleeding. I am on them for blood clots non afib related and after two dvt that is what I fear, not bleeding.

After bw to determine inr and clotting etc. which would be done right away, then you are put on them without delay asap to prevent stroke. If you have had an event of afib caused by alcohol or some other non afib type of event which resolves then you may be observed to see if it will continue.

[Demsrule86]

40. Kick

[Just A Box Of Rain]

45. Good. Those calling for transparency had it right

and John Fetterman's campaign has released the details.

Just as it should be.

Hopefully he recovers quickly and it's on to victory.

I'm no expert on Pennsylvania politics, but from afar the Fetterman vs Öz matchup looks very good for our side.

I wish the man well.