Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has been hospitalized after becoming lightheaded and suffering facial injuries from a fall during an early morning walk, according to his spokesperson.

The Democratic lawmaker was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh on Nov. 13 out of an abundance of caution, his spokesperson posted in a statement on X.

He apparently had a flare-up of a medical condition called ventricular fibrillation that led to lightheadedness, according to the post.

In the statement posted later on social media, Fetterman joked about the incident.

"If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!" Fetterman wrote, while apparently still hospitalized for observation.

The senator had returned home to the Western Pennsylvania town of Braddock after joining six other Democratic senators and one independent who voted with Senate Republicans to reopen the government on Nov. 9.

The Senate voted 60-40 to advance the deal that President Donald Trump signed on Nov. 12 that includes reopening the government through Jan. 30, reversing federal worker layoffs and a promised vote on expiring Obamacare subsidies in December.

Fetterman defended his vote on Nov. 11 on the ABC talk show "The View."

"When you’re confronting mass chaos, I don’t think you should respond with more chaos or fight with more chaos," Fetterman said. "We need to be the party of order and logic … I refuse to weaponize the SNAP benefit for 42 million Americans."

Fetterman has a recent history of health issues

Fetterman has a history of recent health issues. In May 2022, he suffered a stroke while campaigning for the Senate.

He recently released a memoir, "Unfettered," detailing his bouts with clinical depression after suffering a stroke while on the campaign trail for the Senate in 2022.

The senator was also hospitalized in February 2023 for lightheadedness toward the end of the Senate Democratic retreat.

What is ventricular fibrillation?

Ventricular fibrillation, also known as V-fib, is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that causes a person's lower heart chambers to race and affects their ability to pump blood, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Ventricular fibrillation is considered a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention as it's the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Collapsing or falling unconscious are among the most common symptoms of an V-fib episode. Other symptoms may include a fast heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Sometimes, the cause of ventricular fibrillation is unknown, the medical center said.

This story has been updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after suffering face injuries from fall

Reporting by Terry Collins, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect