Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says he had minor stroke during speech

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said he suffered a minor stroke while delivering a speech in the western part of his state over the weekend.

In a statement Sunday night, Van Hollen, 63, a Democrat, said that he did not suffer long-term damage and that after a few days' rest, he will head back to work.

He said that as he gave his speech he experienced lightheadedness and neck pain.

Van Hollen indicated the symptoms were enough to prompt him to visit to George Washington University Hospital in Washington, where an attending physician recommended he undergo a follow-up evaluation after his return home to nearby Kensington, Maryland.

"Earlier today, an angiogram indicated that I had experienced a minor stroke in the form of a small venous tear at the back of my head," Van Hollen said in the statement.

He said his doctors recommended taking a few days off for "observation." "Fortunately, I have been informed that there are no long-term effects or damage as a result of this incident," he said.

Van Hollen is running for re-election without formidable opposition.

In neighboring Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said earlier Sunday that he had suffered a stroke and would "take a minute" from campaigning to make what he said would be a full recovery.

With two days until the Pennsylvania Senate primary, Fetterman is the leading Democrat in the race for an open U.S. Senate seat.