Google file photo: Bill and Hillary Clinton
Ex-President Bill Clinton is reportedly recovering at his suburban New York home today, after leaving a Manhattan hospital early this morning. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is reportedly with her husband at the family home in Chappaqua, about 35 miles north of New York City.
The former president spent the night in the hospital for observation, following a heart procedure to unclog a blocked artery. Clinton’s health drama began several days ago when he started feeling some discomfort or pressure in his chest. Yesterday, Clinton entered New York Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent a procedure called angioplasty to restores blood flow by widening blocked artery. Also, a couple of small devices called stents were inserted in the re-opened artery to keep it that way.
Doctors insisted Clinton did not suffer a heart attack. Okay, but it was still a serious episode when you have to undergo a heart procedure. Also, Clinton has had heart trouble before. In 2004, he underwent a quadruple bypass. Clinton’s cardiologist, Dr. Allan Schwartz, says one of the arteries cleared during the bypass had become blocked and that is why yesterday’s surgery was necessary.
Even though his cardiologist did not say so publicly, many are hoping the ex-president slows down a bit. Since leaving the White House in 2001, Clinton has been quite active with book tours, speaking engagements, fundraising, political events, and now involved in efforts to assist earthquake ravaged Haiti. Clinton is the U.N. Special Envoy to Haiti.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rushed from Washington DC to New York to be with her husband yesterday. Daughter Chelsea was already there with her father. Due to her husband’s health issue, White House officials say the secretary has delayed a planned trip to the Middle East today, until at least tomorrow.
There’s an update on the former president on the website of the William J. Clinton Foundation, from spokesman Douglas Band:
“President Bill Clinton was released from New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia this morning in excellent health. He warmly thanks the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Hospital for the care he received, particularly Dr. Mark Apfelbaum and Dr. Michael Collins, who performed his procedure yesterday, which was overseen by Dr. Craig Smith and President Clinton’s cardiologist Dr. Allan Schwartz. President Clinton would also like to thank the many people who extended their best wishes to him for a quick recovery. He looks forward in the days ahead to getting back to the work of his Foundation, and to Haiti relief and recovery efforts.”
