Real Housewives star Dolores Catania reveals frightening health crisis that led her to have surgery

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania revealed she was forced to have heart surgery after suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Her condition is a form of arrhythmia, meaning her heartbeat had become irregular, causing her to have chest pains that began six months ago.

Last month she underwent a cardiac ablation, a procedure that destroys the small bit of heart tissue that was causing the problem.

Dolores, 54, went public with the news this weekend, posting an Instagram video that began with her boyfriend Paulie Connell driving her to the hospital.

'We are going to get my procedure done. It’s a cardiac ablation for my AFib. I know, I’m too young to have this,' she quipped to the camera.

As they emerged from the car and walked into the building, he asked if she had a 'last word' to say, to which she beamed at him and said: 'Love you.'

+3

View gallery

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania revealed she was forced to have heart surgery after suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib)

She also posted photos and video of herself in her bed and gown, including one apparently post-op snap of herself grinning beside her electrophysiologist, whom she jokingly referred to as her 'other electrician.'

'About six months ago, I was driving when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest that radiated down my arm,' she explained in her caption.

'As women, we tend to ignore aches and pains, brushing them off as part of everyday life- but this felt different,' remembered Dolores.

'After that, I started experiencing frequent flutters in my chest, sometimes waking me up at night. Eventually, I got scared enough to call my cardiologist,' she wrote. 

'He gave me a heart monitor to wear, and within hours, he called to tell me I had AFib (atrial fibrillation). He referred me to an electrophysiologist, who confirmed the diagnosis,' added the New Jersey-born reality star.

'He told me, “You’re not the same girl I met two years ago when you came here with Paul.” Some of you may remember that my boyfriend, Paul Connell, was diagnosed with WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) and also needed an ablation.'

Dolores offered a word to the wise to her fans: 'I’m sharing this because I want you to listen to your body. 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. AFib increases your risk of stroke or heart attack.'

She crowed: 'I’m not 6 weeks out and back to myself! I’ll be off all medication soon, and I haven’t had any episodes since the procedure.'

+3

View gallery

She also posted photos and video of herself in her bed and gown, including one apparently post-op snap of herself grinning beside her electrophysiologist

+3

View gallery

'About six months ago, I was driving when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest that radiated down my arm,' she explained in her caption

Dolores urged readers not to 'wait' as their 'heart health is not something to take lightly,' adding that she 'was truly in the best of hands' with her doctors and encouraging her public: 'Take care of yourself you deserve it!!'

She began dating Paulie four years ago after they met in line at an Apple Store, and the pair have been living together for the bulk of that time.

Her surname comes from her ex-husband Frank Catania, whom she was married to from 1994 to 1998, during which time they welcomed two children.

Dolores has publicly claimed the marriage crumbled after she discovered that Frank cheated on her during her pregnancy with their son Frankie, 27.