ROCHESTER, Minn. — A veteran and influential Republican state senator, Carla Nelson of Rochester, underwent heart surgery successfully last week, a spokesperson confirmed. Nelson, age 66, has had no complications and is home recovering, the spokesperson said. She is scheduled for six to eight weeks of physical therapy. The surgery was performed at Mayo Clinic in. Rochester.
Senate District 24
Nelson represents southern and western Rochester as well as Stewartville, Byron and eastern portions of Dodge County.
Nelson. First elected to the Senate in 2011. Earlier in House. Her recent committee assignments: Capital investment, jobs and economic development, taxes.
Verbatim
Nelson: “During my recovery period I will sadly not be able to attend the in-district events that I enjoy so much, but I will continue to monitor things from my home, and I look forward to returning to my usual full calendar around mid-August.”
Medical profile
Nelson suffered hypertrophic cardiomopathy, a condition in which the walls of the heart thicken and make the heart work harder– -too hard, actually — to pump blood throughout the body. Common symptoms: Fatigue, swollen legs, shortness of breath. The annual mortality rate: About 1%.