Bill Clinton hospitalised
Posted on February 12, 2010
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Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was rushed to a Manhattan hospital as the 63-year-old is reportedly suffering from a heart ailment and was rushed after complaining of chest pain. Clinton, who underwent a quadruple-bypass surgery in 2004, reportedly underwent a stenting procedure, where a tiny mesh tube is expanded inside heart arteries to keep them open. Last Wednesday, the United Nations named Clinton the chief aid and reconstruction co-ordinator for earthquake-ravaged Haiti, a task that put him at the helm of what is likely to be the world body’s biggest ever nation-rebuilding project. Bill Clinton was said to be in “good spirits” Thursday night after surgeons placed two stents in one of his coronary arteries in a bid to increase blood flow to his heart, according to a statement issued by Douglas Band, Clinton’s counsellor. The procedure took place on the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital, where Clinton, 63, underwent successful quadruple heart bypass surgery on Labour Day in 2004.
Clinton had felt “discomfort in his chest” and entered the hospital after visiting his cardiologist, Band’s statement said. Clinton, whose foundation is dedicated to combating poverty and disease, had not long returned from a visit to earthquake-struck Haiti. He was in the Caribbean country in his stepped-up capacity as United Nations-appointed co-ordinator of relief operations, after serving since May 2009 as UN special envoy to the impoverished nation. Hillary Clinton, the U.S. secretary of state, was Thursday night heading to New York after attending a routine weekly meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, who was expected to place a call to the former president from Washington.
The Clintons’ only child, Chelsea, 29, who is engaged to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, with a wedding expected this year, was at her father’s hospital bedside Thursday night. Clinton famously lived somewhat large during his 1993-2001 presidency, frequently eating unhealthy foods. He has also continued to be extremely active since leaving the presidency, not only as head of his foundation, but also on several special international assignments, including as UN envoy for rebuilding following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Get well soon, Sir.
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