Bill Clinton hospitalized with chest pains; 2 stents implanted

By Andrew Malcolm

Los Angeles Times

(MCT)

LOS ANGELES — Former President Bill Clinton, who is 63, was hospitalized in New York City Thursday for chest pains.

Clinton was rushed to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan where he had bypass surgery in 2004.

Clinton’s wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was seen this afternoon leaving the Oval Office and did not seem “too concerned” or “in a rush.” The secretary is scheduled to begin a five-day trip to the Middle East Friday. Soon after leaving the Oval Office, she flew to New York City.

Bill Clinton, who has suffered from overweight often in his life, lost considerable poundage after his previous heart problem and bypass surgery in 2004. The pain likely came from a partial blockage of an artery and the stents would reopen the passage. He is expected to stay in the hospital an undetermined time.

According to a statement released by Douglas Band, a counselor to the ex-president, Clinton had two stents implanted Thursday:

“Today President Bill Clinton was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest.

“Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts.”

In 2004, Clinton underwent a successful quadruple bypass operation to free four blocked arteries.

The ex-president has a condition of heart disease requiring loss of weight and more attention to his diet, but has maintained a vigorous globe-traveling schedule. He was just in Haiti last week.

The stent, basically a wire mesh tube-shape, is inserted in the groin and moved up the artery to the blockage, then expanded to open blood flow through the accumulated plaque. It has become a common procedure in the United States. About a million are performed per year.

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(c) 2010, Los Angeles Times.

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