John Fetterman shares photo after cardiac scare, says doctors ‘put me back together’

John Fetterman was hospitalized after a sudden fall caused by a ventricular fibrillation episode and received 20 stitches before returning home to recover
PUBLISHED NOV 16, 2025
John Fetterman showed the stitched injury on his cheek in a recovery photo he shared online (Getty Images, Wikimedia Commons)
John Fetterman showed the stitched injury on his cheek in a recovery photo he shared online (Getty Images, Wikimedia Commons)

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: Senator John Fetterman posted a photo of his recovery two days after he fell near his home in Pennsylvania and was taken to a hospital. The sudden fall happened after he experienced a ventricular fibrillation episode, which can lead to cardiac arrest if not stopped immediately. The episode caused him to lose balance and hit his face, leaving him with a stitched cut across his cheek.

In the picture he shared on X (formerly Twitter), John Fetterman held an iced coffee and showed a long stitched wound on his cheek. He said he received twenty stitches, was fully recovered, and was now back home. He also said that doctors “put him back together,” according to his spokesperson, who confirmed he was out of danger. 



John Fetterman posts update after hospital stay tied to V-fib episode

On Saturday, November 15, John Fetterman posted an update on X just two days after he was rushed to the hospital. “Twenty stitches later and a full recovery, I’m back home with @giselefetterman and the kids. I’m overwhelmed and profoundly grateful for all the well-wishes. Truly,” he wrote.

He thanked the medical team at UPMC as well, adding, “Grateful for @UPMC for the incredible medical care that put me back together. THANK YOU SO MUCH.” He ended the post by saying, “See you back in DC.”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) walks to the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate is taking up a $95 billion foreign aid package today for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
John Fetterman walked to the Senate chamber during a foreign aid package vote on April 23, 2024 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

John Fetterman was hospitalized early Thursday, November 13, after collapsing during a morning walk near his home in Braddock. A spokesperson said he suddenly felt light-headed before falling and hitting his face. “Out of an abundance of caution, he was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh,” the spokesperson said.

John Fetterman later joked, “If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!” His office said tests confirmed he had a ventricular fibrillation flare-up, which caused him to feel faint and fall, leading to minor facial injuries.



Doctors kept him at UPMC for monitoring and to adjust his medications. His office said he was “doing well” and was now back home recovering with his wife, Gisele, and their children.

John Fetterman’s medical history underscores ongoing health concerns

John Fetterman’s collapse is the latest in a series of health challenges. He suffered a stroke in 2022 while campaigning and later revealed he had atrial fibrillation, which affects the heart’s upper chambers. His recent episode involved ventricular fibrillation, which affects the lower chambers and is considered more dangerous.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks to reporters in the Senate Subway during a series of confirmation votes for U.S. President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees at the U.S. Capitol Building on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and completed a procedural vote for the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
John Fetterman spoke to reporters in the Senate Subway during confirmation votes on February 12, 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In early 2023, John Fetterman was hospitalized for light-headedness, and weeks later he checked into Walter Reed to receive treatment for clinical depression. His recent scare adds to ongoing concerns, though his office maintains he remains committed to his duties and continues to receive appropriate medical care.

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