RHONJ's Dolores Catania Reveals Frightening Health Crisis That Led To Heart Procedure

The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania is opening up about her health following a procedure to treat a heart condition. 

Catania, 54, shared an Instagram post on Saturday, June 21, about her diagnosis and treatment for atrial fibrillation, a disorder defined by the Mayo Clinic as "an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm." 

The mom of two shared an emotional caption alongside a photo and video from the day of her procedure, writing, "About six months ago, I was driving when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest that radiated down my arm. As women, we tend to ignore aches and pains, brushing them off as part of everyday life- but this felt different. 

“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 continued. “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.”

Catania added that her boyfriend Paul Connell has a different condition, called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes a fast heartbeat. They both required a cardiac ablation procedure, a minimally invasive way to freeze or burn small parts of the heart to help restore a normal rhythm.

“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,” she said. “DON’T IGNORE THIS. AFib increases your risk of stroke or heart attack.”

Catania said her treatment was a success thanks to her “amazing, wonderful” doctors, and encouraged others to take care of themselves. 

“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. Please don’t wait,” she wrote. “Your heart health is not something to take lightly. If you need recommendations for doctors, I was truly in the best of hands.”

Heart disease, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and heart failure, is the number one cause of death for American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.