Bill Clinton hospitalized in NYC with chest pains, two stents implanted in coronary arteries

Ex-President Bill Clinton, who is 63, was hospitalized in New York City today for chest discomfort.

Clinton was admitted 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," according to witnesses. The secretary is scheduled to begin a five-day trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia this weekend and there was no immediate indication those plans have been changed, although the secretary did fly to New York City this afternoon.

Bill Clinton, who has suffered from overweight often in his life and has a proclivity for hamburgers, lost considerable weight after his previous heart problem and bypass surgery in 2004. The latest 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 a day or two.

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, President 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. He has maintained a vigorous globe-traveling schedule. He was just in Haiti last week. But reported feeling ill two days ago.

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, probably about a million per year, and Clinton would be likely to spend at least one day in the hospital to monitor and prevent and re-closure of the blockages.

After a few days' rest he would be expected to resume a normal schedule.

(UPDATE: 6 p.m.: Doctors said the ex-president had experienced repetitive chest discomfort in recent days and since they occurred while he was resting, doctors became suspicious. Tests showed one of his grafts from 2004 had become completely blocked. Stents were implanted. Blood flow resumed, All went smoothly. And Clinton can return to his office Monday.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[Cowpatty Bill]

Get well soon Bubba!

[Robert P.]

Get well soon Mr. President. we still need you. God Bless you.
Robert P.

[Lynn D.]

Too bad. All that cocaine finally caught up with you BJ Bill. Did you not listen to Reagan when he said "say NO to drugs"?

[mc]

"suffered from overweight" ? Bwaaa haaa haaa!

[Lopp]

President Clinton will be just fine. His body simply needed a little rest. He has been extremely active for the past several years. May God be with him every step of the way.

Lopp

[betsy]

God protect you and heal you.

[CLK]

Please get well soon, Mr. President!!!! xoxoxox!!!!!

[LACodger]

Best wishes Mr. Prez. Good thing you have comprehensive paid health care. Lots of others would have been told to go home and stay quiet.

[Virginia DeGrazia-Sanders]

This was written by a journalist?? Some one who writes grammatically and has flow? I think not.

[el chapulin]

Wow, good thing is just a heart problem. Had me worried. I thought he might have had a visit from Monica and the effects of the little blue pill wouldn't go away after four hours.

[janet]

"Bill Clinton, who has suffered from overweight often in his life and a proclivity for hamburgers, lost considerable poundage after his previous heart problem and bypass surgery in 2004."

MAN, I wouldn't have any problem getting a job as a journalist if this is what is being printed these days. "suffered from overweight?" Who is the editor around here? Jeez.

[BigAl]

"Get well soon Bubba...", "Get well soon Mr. President...", "God?"... "protect you and heal you...", "Bwaaa haaa haaa!" Bwah waa waa waa waa waa.....
It's called KARMA people, she has an unfailing memory, a penchant for discerning evil and she sure can pay back wicked when she decides to visit!

[J. Espinoza]

Dear President Clinton:you will recover soon, God is protecting your life. Please take a rest and follow your doctors advice. We are praying, we need you. God bless you and your wife Hillary, with love Beth