Cheney hospitalized with chest 'discomfort'

Dick Cheney

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney, who has a history of heart problems, is hospitalized Monday after experiencing mild chest discomfort. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital.

A senior administration official told CNN that the 60-year-old vice president experienced discomfort in his chest twice in the last couple of days.

His doctors asked him to go to the hospital Monday or Tuesday, where he is expected to undergo a repeat catheterization of his heart.

AUDIO CNN's John King gives an update on Cheney 461 K/43 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Cheney discusses his health on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer 1.7 MB/21 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    VIDEO CNN's Rhonda Rowland explains coronary heart disease Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Mayo Clinic Health Oasis Heart Center Chest Pain Evaluation Angioplasty Web MD.com Dick Cheney in High-Risk Heart Category Coronary Artery Disease Surgical Treatments for Angina and Coronary Artery Disease Illustrated Guide to Coronary Artery Disease

The White House said Cheney's most recent EKG showed no change.

President Bush said Cheney went to the hospital as a "precautionary measure."

Adviser Mary Matalin said Cheney was undergoing a "cardiac catheterization" at George Washington University Hospital to determine what was causing the chest pains. "They're going in to take a look," she said.

In 1988, he had quadruple bypass surgery to clear clogged arteries.

The vice president was hospitalized during President Bush's transition in November after suffering a mild heart attack.

One of his heart arteries was 90 percent blocked, so doctors implanted a wire scaffolding-like device called a stent to push away the blockage and prop open the artery walls.

It was Cheney's fourth heart attack since age 37. In 1988, he had quadruple bypass surgery to clear clogged arteries.

Cheney was asked about his health Sunday by CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition."

"Well, I feel great," he said. "I am well-behaved. They've taken control of my food supply. So, I'm trying to do all those things you need do to be a responsible individual with a history of coronary artery disease and somebody who's 60 years old. So far so good."

Asked if he eats pizza at midnight, Cheney said he didn't.

"I'm not a big pizza-eater anyway, but lots of fruits and vegetables," Cheney said.

Cheney gets 'clean bill of health'
November 29, 2000
Doctors say Cheney in good condition
November 23, 2000
Cheney suffered mild heart attack
November 22, 2000

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