Former president Bill Clinton had two stents placed in a clogged heart artery Thursday after he complained of chest discomfort, his cardiologist said. Clinton, 63, "is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his foundation and Haiti's relief and long-term recovery efforts," Douglas Band, counselor to the former president, said in a statement. Clinton recently returned from a trip to Haiti.
The nation's 42nd president underwent a quadruple heart bypass operation in 2004.
Allan Schwartz, Clinton's cardiologist, said the procedure went smoothly and Clinton may be released from the hospital today. Clinton showed no evidence of having had a heart attack, Schwartz said at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. He said Clinton is in "excellent health" and is ready to resume "his very active lifestyle."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton left for New York to be with her husband, aides told the Associated Press. They said she plans to go ahead with a scheduled trip this weekend to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. She left for New York shortly after a White House meeting with President Obama. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters concerning the former president's health.
Author: David Jackson, Steve Sternberg
