“SHOCKER: Dolores Catania’s Terrifying Health Crisis Unveiled – Heart Surgery Nightmare Exposed!”
Dolores Catania’s Terrifying Health Crisis: Heart Surgery Nightmare Exposed!
In a startling revelation that has left fans reeling, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania has opened up about a harrowing health crisis that nearly claimed her life. The 54-year-old reality TV personality disclosed that she underwent emergency heart surgery after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that put her at immediate risk of a stroke.
A Silent Threat Emerges
Dolores first noticed something was amiss when she experienced unusual sensations in her chest. “My heart was beating out of my chest,” she recounted during an appearance on the Two Ts in a Pod podcast. “It felt like a flutter, like a butterfly, and then it goes away. But it started to come more frequently.”
The situation escalated when she felt a persistent pain radiating from the center of her chest to her shoulder while driving. Recognizing the severity, she sought medical attention. “I was like, ‘That’s not right.’ It wouldn’t go away, so I decided to go to a cardiologist,” she explained.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis
The cardiologist’s diagnosis was alarming: AFib, a condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. “You’re a walking stroke,” Dolores was told. “You can have a stroke… so many people ignore it. So I’m telling everybody, if you get those flutters in your chest, go see a doctor.”
Emergency Intervention
Given the imminent risk, Dolores was hospitalized for a cardiac ablation procedure. She described the process: “They went through my groin, which is really sore, and into my heart. They kind of shock your heart and cauterize it. And then they’re like, ‘Wake up, heart. We’re doing it this way.'”
This minimally invasive surgery aims to restore normal heart rhythm by scarring or destroying tissue in the heart that triggers or sustains an abnormal rhythm.
A Cautionary Tale
Now recovering at home, Dolores is taking it easy and using her experience to raise awareness. “So I’m telling everybody, if you get those flutters in your chest, go see a doctor,” she urged. “So many people just ignore that.”
Unseen Efforts and Disappointments
In addition to her health scare, Dolores revealed that she spent $30,000 on a lavish finale party for RHONJ, which was largely edited out of the show. “I hired actors, I got whiskey, had people flown in from Ireland. I had Irish flowers… I had my garage turned into a casino with our faces on coins that they never showed,” she lamented.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, Dolores remains optimistic. She confirmed that her relationship with boyfriend Paulie Connell is stronger than ever. “My heart is not broken,” she stated. “Paulie and I are together, as strong as ever. We are very happy together.”
As RHONJ faces an uncertain future, with reports of a cast shake-up, Dolores’s resilience and candidness continue to endear her to fans. Her recent experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body and advocating for one’s health.
