WASHINGTON — Fairfax County’s board chair urges residents to take action when it comes to their health and not procrastinate.

Chair Sharon Bulova announced earlier this week that she will take some time off to undergo thyroid surgery. The outpatient procedure will remove a nodule that was detected after the Democrat suffered a paralyzed vocal cord that affected her ability to talk in the spring.

“The message is to pay attention to your body. When something happens don’t just say ‘Oh it’ll get better or, oh I’m not going to do anything about it’,” Bulova said Thursday during a back to school shopping event with the sheriff’s department.

Bulova said that fortunately her condition is operable and she will be able to move on with her life and get back to work running the county.

“Pay attention to what goes on with your body. Follow up. Make sure you’re doing the right thing for your health.”

WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report from Fairfax, Va.