Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, who said he's doing well after collapsing at a GOP forum last week, said he will make his medical records public.
The nine-term mayor said his doctors diagnosed him with a severe case of dehydration which led to the seizure, which Boughton describes as being exacerbated by not taking his anti-seizure medication that day.
"I absolutely had a seizure, triggered by dehydration and a mitigating factor definitely could have been taking the proper medication on the schedule I’m supposed to take it," Boughton said during an interview Monday.
Boughton had brain surgery last year to remove a tumor behind his ear and takes anti-seizure medication as a precaution. He said doctors at UConn consulted with his physicians in Pittsburgh who performed his surgery and said they did not draw a link between his seizure and brain surgery, however, not taking his medication likely contributed to the situation.
Boughton said he hardly ate or drank anything before he made his way to the North House Restaurant in Avon for a candidate meet and greet with Avon Republicans.
It was there, following his opening statement, that he collapsed in the ballroom, with his campaign manager Marc Dillon beside him, basically catching him before he hit the ground.
Boughton said the reports of him requiring CPR were exaggerated and said he never received chest compressions. He was rushed to UConn Health after briefly being treated by Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, a nurse and an EMT who were all on the scene.
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"It wasn’t a heart attack or anything like that," Boughton clarified. "No CPR-emergency rooms doctors had said if you had CPR done the right way, you wouldn’t be able to touch your chest it would be so sore, you might have a few broken ribs."
Srinivasan provided initial care to Boughton and told NBC Connecticut that he had administered CPR. Boughton said he’s thankful to Srinivasan, an allergist from Glastonbury, who is also running for governor.
"The fact is, [Srinivasan] was there and he was there to help and I’m deeply indebted to him and grateful to him," Boughton said.
Boughton said he has already hired a nutritionist to ensure he eats healthier. He said he’s already started replacing his daily regimen of diet sodas with more water, and plans on exercising more often.
On whether his health might become a campaign issue, Boughton said that’s fine with him.
"I would challenge them to a better man or woman contest where I would engage in swimming, wrestling, ping pong and pretty much any sport to prove my physical agility," Boughton said.
Boughton added, "I think as people see me out there more and more and realize there isn’t really any residual effects of what happened I think they’ll be OK with it, it could have happened to anyone."
