Delegate Pat McGeehan is set to have heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic next month, but the Air Force Academy graduate expects to be back in fighting condition by July 4.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic have diagnosed McGeehan, R-Hancock, with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy — a genetic condition that causes the walls of heart ventricles to thicken, which restricts blood flow. Chest pain, dizziness and a loss of energy result.

McGeehan is scheduled May 16 to go in for surgery preparation, with the actual surgery taking place May 18. He expects to remain in the hospital for three to four days and be confined to bed rest for six weeks.

“The good news is this should permanently cure my symptoms, and return me to a state of heightened productivity,” he said.

McGeehan doesn’t expect to miss any votes in the Legislature unless a special session is called during June. He said it may take him a little longer to respond to constituent concerns. He is employed as a program director for an alternative school in Morgantown and commutes there each day from his home in Chester.

McGeehan, 38, describes himself as “a prolific runner,” and he said he became aware while jogging that he had a heart issue. He would experience “a heavy weight on his chest” and tunnel vision after running for a while.

“I would stop for a minute, and it would pass,” said McGeehan. “I could still finish the run.”

“I thought maybe I was dehydrated, or I was just getting older. Then it progressively worsened to the point where I couldn’t run at all.”

McGeehan consulted with local doctors and physicians with the Veterans Administration, who all gave him clean bill of health. But still, he said there were times when he couldn’t even walk up stairs.

Last year, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic diagnosed his issues. But it wasn’t until earlier this month they recommended surgery to McGeehan after his symptoms began to worsen.

“I’m OK. I manage. It’s fine,” he said. “I have learned to manage with the condition since being diagnosed a year ago.”

McGeehan’s younger brother, Brendan, is three years younger than McGeehan, and he was diagnosed with a similar heart condition when he was a teenager.

Because the disorder is genetic, McGeehan was required to undergo tests for the condition while a student at the Air Force Academy. At the time, it was determined he did not have the condition.