January 19, 2000
Web posted at: 9:04 p.m. EST (0204 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Described as "feeling strong" and "in great spirits," comedian David Letterman has left a New York hospital for an undisclosed location less than a week after he underwent emergency surgery.

The 52-year-old Letterman had the quintuple heart bypass surgery Friday at New York Presbyterian Hospital after an angiogram revealed one of his arteries was seriously constricted.

"I am thrilled to be out of the hospital. I plan to spend the weekend doing some heavy lifting and playing handball," he joked in a written statement upon his release Wednesday.

The statement did not say when he would resume his duties with his nighttime talk and entertainment show, which has been showing reruns during his recovery.

The host of "The Late Show" had told his audience last week that he planned to undergo the angiogram Friday because of high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease.

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"There must have been some kind of mix-up -- I went in to the hospital to get a face lift," Letterman quipped.

"But truthfully, I could not have been happier with the excellent care I received from my doctors and the entire staff at the hospital. They were the best," Letterman said in his statement.

Physician Louis J. Aronne said Letterman "couldn't be better. With his recovery being so smooth, it is clear that he was ready to be discharged. His quick release from the hospital is evidence of his excellent health."

"Dave has been the ideal patient. He feels strong and strolled out of the hospital in great spirits," the doctor added.