Mount Vernon Supervisor Hyland Receives Heart Stents

Fairfax County's Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D) will tell you he's the picture of health - and the witticisms are as sharp as ever. Last week, the 76-year-old received two heart stents after feeling weak at home.

"I had no energy," said Hyland. "But now I feel like I'm back to full strength."

Stents are small expandable tubes used to treat narrowed or weakened arteries in the body, according to WebMD. In patients with coronary heart disease, caused by the buildup of plaque, stents are used to open narrowed arteries and help reduce symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or to help treat a heart attack.

A lawyer by trade, Hyland has served as the Mount Vernon District Supervisor since 1988, and is known for a quick wit. 

Hyland isn't the only member of the current board to have heart surgery. Last year, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity underwent a heart procedure. 

The procedure can last up to three hours, "but the preparation and recovery time add several hours," according to WebMD. "You may stay in the hospital overnight to be observed by the medical staff."

Hyland had high spirits when he spoke with Patch in his District office Monday. "I can no longer have an 'unstinting' appearance, because I now have a couple of stents," he joked. 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!