RHONJ Star Dolores Catania Shares Candid Heart Health Update After Cardiac Ablation
The Real Housewives of New Jersey fan-favorite, Dolores Catania, is opening up about a recent health scare and recovery, sharing a vital message about prioritizing heart health and listening to your body’s signals.
The reality star revealed she recently underwent a cardiac ablation procedure after being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, commonly known as Afib. Afib is a condition characterized by an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. The ablation procedure is a treatment designed to block the erratic electrical signals in the heart that cause the irregular rhythm.
Catania detailed her journey in a candid video update, explaining that her symptoms began subtlely about six months before her diagnosis. Initially, she admitted to trying to ignore the signs, a tendency she noted is common, especially among women. However, the symptoms escalated.
“I was driving when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest that radiated down my arm,” she recalled, emphasizing that this particular symptom felt different from everyday aches. Following this, she experienced frequent chest flutters, sometimes severe enough to wake her up at night.
The worsening symptoms prompted her to contact her cardiologist. After wearing a heart monitor, she received the Afib diagnosis, which was later confirmed by a cardiac electrophysiologist, Dr. Robert Altman.
Interestingly, Dolores was already familiar with the ablation procedure because her longtime boyfriend, Paul “Paulie” Connell, had undergone one previously. Paulie’s situation highlights the importance of persistence in seeking diagnosis; he had struggled with an irregular heartbeat for eight years, initially thought to be Afib but later correctly identified as SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) caused by Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome – a congenital defect involving an extra electrical pathway in the heart. Despite numerous ER visits and consultations, it was Dr. Altman who ultimately diagnosed and successfully treated Paulie’s life-threatening condition with ablation.
Dolores played a crucial role in pushing Paulie to finally seek advanced treatment after years of living with the condition and receiving incorrect medication that caused adverse side effects, including weight gain and water retention. Her own experience with Afib and Paulie’s journey under Dr. Altman’s care underscore their shared message about the critical need to listen to your body and find the right specialist.
Listen to Your Body: A Vital Message
Drawing from both her own experience and Paulie’s, Dolores is now passionately urging her followers to take any potential heart symptoms seriously. “That racing or fluttering in your chest you feel doing simple tasks during the day- that’s your body trying to tell you something. DON’T IGNORE THIS,” she pleaded, stressing that Afib significantly increases the risk of stroke or heart attack. Her cardiologist, Dr. Altman, also echoed this important health message.
Recovery and Looking Ahead
Sharing positive news on her recovery, Dolores reported that she is now six weeks post-procedure and feels “back to myself.” She anticipates being off medication soon and confirmed she hasn’t experienced any Afib episodes since the successful ablation. She strongly advised others not to wait if they suspect an issue, emphasizing that she felt she was “in the best of hands” with her medical team.
Beyond Heart Health: Weight Loss and RHONJ’s Future
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live, Dolores also touched upon her ongoing weight loss journey. She shared that she’s been having a “really hard time” after her Mounjaro medication stopped being effective, resulting in a 20-pound weight gain. She explained that she had to pause taking Mounjaro while preparing for her heart surgery.
Adding another layer to her weight struggles, Dolores revealed she is currently taking post-operative medications, including blood thinners and Metoprolol, for 90 days following the ablation. She speculated that these medications might be a potential factor contributing to her recent weight gain, expressing hope that her weight might stabilize once she completes the prescribed course.
Regarding her future on reality television, rumors surfaced that Dolores might appear on the upcoming Real Housewives of Rhode Island (RHORI). While she clarified she won’t be a main cast member, she teased the possibility of a “visit” or cameo appearance due to her connections with the RHORI cast, whom she described as “wild.” However, she firmly stated that “Jersey is its own thing,” highlighting the unique intensity of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Through sharing her personal health challenges and recovery, Dolores Catania is using her platform to highlight the critical importance of recognizing symptoms, seeking timely medical attention, and prioritizing heart health – a message reinforced by her and Paulie Connell’s parallel journeys and successful treatment by the same specialist.
