Fox News anchor John Roberts recently shared with viewers of “America Reports” his recent health experience, revealing that he has been fitted with a pacemaker. The 65-year-old journalist, a familiar face on the network and former Chief White House Correspondent, explained his absence was due to a necessary heart procedure.
In a segment broadcast this week, Roberts told co-anchor Sandra Smith and the audience about his recent hospitalization. “For folks at home who didn’t know, this time last week I left our show and immediately went into the hospital,” Roberts stated in a clip shared by Fox News. He admitted to feeling unwell for some time leading up to the hospitalization.
Roberts detailed that a stent previously placed in his heart in 2018 had become blocked again, requiring doctors to reopen it. He further explained a more significant cardiac issue, saying, “…like former Vice President Mike Pence, the electrical circuitry in my heart was going bad, so I’m now battery powered. I’ve got a pacemaker.” He made the announcement while gently touching his chest.
John Roberts Fox News America Reports
According to the Mayo Clinic, a pacemaker is a small device surgically implanted in the chest to regulate heartbeat, preventing it from slowing down excessively. This cardiac pacing device ensures a consistent and healthy heart rhythm.
Adding a personal touch to his health update, Roberts mentioned that former Vice President Mike Pence, who also has a pacemaker implanted in April 2021, reached out to him. Pence, who publicly disclosed having an asymptomatic left bundle branch block when he was named as the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2016, offered support and shared his experiences as a pacemaker recipient.
“We had a lovely conversation about what it’s like to be a pacemaker recipient and the way forward,” Roberts shared. He expressed gratitude for his family, friends, and the medical professionals at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia, the same facility where Pence underwent his pacemaker procedure.
Roberts conveyed a positive outlook on his recovery, stating he was feeling “75% better, but hoping to be 100% soon.” His return to “America Reports” was also marked by a tweet where he expressed his joy at being back with Sandra Smith, which she reciprocated with a welcome message on Twitter.
In a 2020 interview with “The Washingtonian,” John Roberts had previously discussed his heart stents and attributed his past arterial blockages to years of smoking. “Smoking earlier in my life is why I have three pieces of stainless steel in my heart,” he acknowledged. He also shared his commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, emphasizing the importance of health and fitness for his overall well-being and energy levels.
