Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) disclosed Sunday that she had been hospitalized for two days after doctors discovered and treated a blood clot. In a post on X, the congresswoman said she was discharged from St. Mary's Hospital and urged constituents to pay attention to their health.
“A health update from me. Listen to your body, and seek care if you’re not feeling well,” Hayes wrote. She thanked the medical team at St. Mary’s for the care she received.
In a video accompanying her post, Hayes described the incident that led her to seek emergency care. “On Friday, I felt like I was dizzy while shopping — I was out getting phones at the mall, and felt like I was dizzy, but it didn’t feel normal,” she said.
Hayes said she went to the emergency room, where tests revealed a blood clot that was treated with medication. She was kept for 48 hours of observation before being released Sunday. “I’m walking to my car now, and I feel back to normal. A little tired, a little sluggish, but definitely like myself,” she said.
The congresswoman emphasized the importance of acting quickly when something feels off. “I’m making this video because I want you to know that my body felt weird, and I didn’t know what was going on, so I went to get checked. And that is probably why I’m able to walk out of the hospital today,” she said.
Hayes’ health scare comes amid a broader national conversation about healthcare access and the pressures of public service. The incident also highlights ongoing internal Democratic debates about the party’s direction, with some members advocating for more progressive policies, as seen in the rise of democratic socialism and tensions over far-left activism, such as the harassment of California Democrat Scott Wiener at a Pride event.
Hayes, a former National Teacher of the Year, has represented Connecticut’s 5th District since 2019. She serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Agriculture. Her recovery is expected to be swift, and she has not indicated any plans to miss votes.
