Bush undergoes heart procedure
(CNN) - Former President George W. Bush, 67, underwent a procedure Tuesday morning to have a stent placed in his heart one day after a blockage was discovered in an artery, according to a statement from his office.
In the statement released by Bush's spokesman, the procedure was "performed successfully," without complication, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
"President Bush is in high spirits, eager to return home tomorrow and resume his normal schedule on Thursday. He is grateful to the skilled medical professionals who have cared for him," the statement read.
The blockage was found during Bush's annual physical examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas on Monday.
"He thanks his family, friends, and fellow citizens for their prayers and well wishes. And he encourages us all to get our regular check-ups," the statement continued.
The 43rd president was known for having relatively good health during his tenure at the White House. For exercise, he was an active runner and frequently rode his mountain bike.
According to his 2006 annual exam, his medical history at the time showed no signs of hypertension or stroke, and he had 'low' to 'very low' coronary artery disease risk profile with a favorable family medical history and absence of modifiable risk factors.
The report also stated he had "minimal/mild" coronary artery calcification, a fairly common sign of early artery disease in which the lining of aortic wall becomes inflamed and plaque starts to build up over time. Calcium deposits begin to form in the artery wall.
Bush's statement Tuesday did not release details on whether his artery blockage was related to his past medical history.
Also, the White House announced in August 2007 that Bush was treated the year prior for Lyme disease. A White House spokesman at the time told CNN that it is "not uncommon" for Bush to get tick bites during his bike rides.
Lyme disease can be transmitted through the bite of a tick that carries the disease. The problem had been resolved, with no re-occurrence and no other symptoms, the White House said six years ago.
His 2007 physical exam also reported bouts of mild vertigo, but it did not interfere with his work.
This is what happens when you eat too many of God's creatures.
Peter
A true man and intellect would realize that his statement regarding everyone get a check up is ironic considering his opposition to healthcare reform. Maybe he should address the issue in a townhall meeting and try to defend his position of why he should have healthcare and those who cannot affored it should not.
Regardless, get well. Signed, A loyal Democrat and Patriotic American
__________________
Well glad to see a true Democrat that really believes you can only be American by thinking DNC. and only DNC. I wonder how much BS a person has to put up with to sign into any emergency room.
So pleased everything went well and that President Bush is recovering. I believe GWB was sincere in his efforts to protect our Country. Sadly, being President of the USA has become a disrespected and thankless job. Seems most people think they are "experts" on how our country should be run, when they actually are ignorant.
more of my tax dollars wasted.
Get well soon, Mr. President!!
He should have had a brain transplant done instead.
Bouts of mild vertigo. That explains it.
Mr. President , I hope you get well soon! My prayers are with you and your family at this time. May God Bless You and your family always!
The finest healthcare the taxpayers can provide!
12 years ago today, Bush read a document that included this:
We have not been able to corroborate some of the more sensational threat reporting, such as that from a -- service in 1998 saying that Bin Laden wanted to hijack a U.S. aircraft to gain the release of "Blind Sheikh" Omar Abdel Rahman and other U.S.-held extremists.
Nevertheless, FBI information since that time indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks, including recent surveillance of federal buildings in New York.
Good luck with that stent.
Their sure are some evil and uneducated liberals on here. Bush has more class and dignity in his pinky then your boy Barry. Bush is a patriot and a great american that always put country first above the hate that came from the left and media. You people on here total bashing a man after he had open heart surgery make me sick. Bush had 52 straight months of economic growth, has obama even came close to that? Has Obama gave liberty and freedom to over 8 million people like bush did??? Seriously you people on here have a hate in you for Bush that is down right sick.....
When would Boehner have his own heart stent. He has convulsed the economy and people enough.
@ryan J – Take a pill and simma down nah. He didn't have open heart surgery. By the way, I wonder if the loved ones of soldiers who were killed in Bush's senseless wars would enjoy your post. Take it down a notch man.
GW has a heart? I thought Cheney had that removed.
Wow. That is News. Dumbya Bush has a heart. Wonder what rock they found it under.
That is for starting the NSA spy program on us Mr Bush, and that phony war that killed and maimed so many of our troops.
I hope it hurts real bad.
What good is a stent without a heart?
get well mr president i pray for you, and history will juge you well not this idiotics critics
Just want to know why this wasn't CNN headline news but another socal murder was instead. Murders in socal are everyday stuff, I'm not unsympathetic to it, but having a President of the United States have heart surgery is much bigger news. And he was such a believer in physical fitness! Shows it can happen to anyone. Best wishes on your speedy recovery, President Bush. We love ya.
He has a heart?
An American hero. I wish him a speedy recovery and many beautiful years of health and happiness.
It's amazing how everyone liberal on here says that Bush denied healthcare coverage to poor people. Good lie, since Congress never sent him a healthcare law to sign or veto.
And for all of you geniuses out there – GWB is smarter than most of you.
Probably needs it after all the alcohol and coke.
get well soon gwb! there will always be disagreements with his policies and decisions but i do believe he is much better leader than the one sitting now lol peace!