Herrity to Have Heart Surgery in April

Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity announced Wednesday that he will undergo open-heart surgery in April.

Herrity (R-Springfield) wrote in “The Herrity Report” newsletter that he will have the surgery April 5 and expects to make a full recovery.

 "In November of 2011 I began having abnormal heart rhythms — atrial fibrillation (A-fib),” Herrity wrote in the announcement. “A-fib if detected and treated is not dangerous, and I did not have a heart attack or any heart damage."

While taking a closer look at those complications, doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm, Herrity wrote. The surgery will address both problems.

In his release, Herrity was optimistic about the procedure. He said he was relatively young and in good shape, and these operations have high success rates.

Herrity’s family has a history of heart problems. According to the release, his brother had the same procedure in 2006 and recovered.

Herrity’s late father, Jack Herrity, passed away from an aortic aneurysm in 2006 after serving the Board of Supervisors for 16 years. He was 74.