SC’s Gov. Henry McMaster undergoes minor heart procedure Friday. Here’s why
Gov. Henry McMaster underwent a minor procedure Friday morning to correct an intermittent irregular heart beat, his office said.
McMaster, 76, was under general anesthesia for what the governor’s office called an elective procedure. The procedure started about 8 a.m. and lasted one hour and 50 minutes, the governor’s office said.
The governor’s cardiologist, Dr. Amy Rawl Epps, said the procedure “was very successful and uncomplicated. He is recovering well.”
On Thursday, Eppps characterized the procedure as “relatively simple” and added McMaster has “had an extensive cardiac workup” and “has very normal cardiac function and no evidence of significant coronary artery disease.”
McMaster is expected to return to his normal work schedule Saturday.
In April 2022, the governor was treated for an irregular heart beat after it was found while he prepared for arthroscopic knee surgery. That procedure only required he be under anesthesia for about 10 minutes, the Associated Press reported.
An irregular heart beat, also known as atrial fibrillation, occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Even though McMaster was under anesthesia, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette did not become acting governor. That only becomes the case if an emergency arises and the governor is incapacitated.
This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 5:11 PM.
