Tuesday night East Hartford and Mayberry Village’s own congressman, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, released a statement after he experienced a medical episode while speaking on the floor of the U.S. house of Representatives Monday afternoon.

“Yesterday, at around noon, I experienced a medical incident on the House floor, when my speech momentarily paused. Following the incident, I saw the House Attending Physician, Dr. Monahan, who referred me for further evaluation. After a round of tests, it was determined that the cause of the brief pause in my speech was a complex partial seizure.

“Fifteen years ago, I had a heart valve replacement due to a variation in the shape of my aortic valve that I was born with. Sometimes, people with this condition can later develop symptoms such as the momentary change in speech or movement that was apparent yesterday. 

“The doctors have prescribed medication that, according to them, will greatly reduce the chance of this happening again. I will be able to resume an active schedule, including my duties as a Member of Congress, beginning tomorrow, when I plan to be present and voting on the House floor.

“I am grateful to Dr. Monahan and the staff, and I extend my deepest appreciation to my family, friends, colleagues, constituents, and everyone who reached out with their well wishes and offers of support. I am looking forward to getting back to work for the people of Connecticut’s First District.”

According to Web MD, a complex partial seizure, now known as a focal impaired awareness seizure, “is a type of seizure that affects a specific area of the brain, often leading to impaired awareness and unusual behaviors. These seizures typically last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes and may involve repetitive movements or a blank stare, with the person usually not remembering the event afterward.”