When you think of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, you probably think table flips, family feuds, and fabulous parties, but no one expected one of the show’s strongest cast members to reveal a serious health scare. 

Dolores Catania, has proved herself to be the tough one. In a heartfelt Instagram video on May 6, Catania revealed she underwent a heart procedure. 

“Hey everybody, it’s been a minute since I’ve been on here to talk to you, but a little update," she wrote within a  social media post, which has been taken down since. "I had a heart procedure." 

The reality star revealed that she had been dealing with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). For the non-medical Bravoholics, the condition causes an irregular, rapid heartbeat that increases your risk of stroke and other complications.

"I'm going to talk to you all about it because I want everyone to take care of themselves and take care of their body," Catania stressed.

Doctors performed a cardiac ablation, a procedure where they literally “shock your heart and cauterize it.” She joked. 

According to the Office of Minority Health , Black women are twice as likely to suffer strokes compared to white women, with a death rate of 106 per 100,000 versus 77 per 100,000 for white women. Hispanic women’s rate? 32.1 per 100,000. And while Italian women (like Catania) fall under the broader non-Hispanic white category, that doesn’t mean they’re off the hook.

On the Two T’s in a Pod podcast, she broke down her experience for fans. 

"So my heart was beating out of my chest," she said. "You know, sometimes you feel like you have a flutter. It feels like a butterfly, it goes away. Well, it started to come more frequent." 

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That instinct might have saved her life. Women’s heart attack and stroke symptoms aren’t always the classic TV drama chest clutch. The American Heart Association says women can experience jaw pain, nausea, dizziness, or unexplained fatigue.

Catania is using her platform to amplify that message: “I want everyone to take care of themselves and their body. Don’t ignore those flutters.” Doctors acted fast and performed surgery to help her heart get back into a normal and healthy rhythm. 

"They went through my groin, which is really sore, and into my heart," she recalled. "They kind of shock your heart and cauterize it. And then they're lie, 'Wake up, hear. We're doing it this way." 

Shortly after she shared her story, fans flooded the comment section with love and gratitude. 

Catania is taking plenty of time to rest while the beloved series remains on indefinite hiatus. In the meantime, she’s urging her fans to prioritize their health, don’t ignore warning signs, and remember that early detection can make all the difference.

Photo Credit: @dolorescatania on Instagram.