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Bill Clinton to undergo bypass surgery
Former president's office cites 'mild chest pain'
From John King and Ed Henry
CNN Washington Bureau
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton will undergo heart bypass surgery as early as Saturday.
Clinton was in New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Friday undergoing tests for chest discomfort.
Clinton's office issued the following statement:
"Former President Bill Clinton is being admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital today and is scheduled to have bypass surgery.
"The former president went to Northern Westchester Hospital yesterday afternoon after experiencing mild chest pain and shortness of breath. Initial testing was normal and he spent the night at home in nearby Chappaqua, New York. After undergoing additional testing this morning at Westchester Medical Center, doctors advised he should undergo bypass surgery.
"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and (daughter) Chelsea Clinton will be with the president in New York City."
Clinton had been scheduled to tour the New York State Fair in Syracuse Friday afternoon with Sen. Clinton.
Sen. Clinton, who did visit the fair, cut short that visit. She said Clinton had expected to join her but after the tests his doctors had advised him to have the bypass surgery "as soon as he could."
She said the former president felt fine Friday morning, but added, "We have to really follow through on the recommendations the physicians have made. He's in excellent hands and he's at one of the great hospitals in the world, but I'm going to leave now to go and be with him."
President Bush and his Democratic rival Sen. John Kerry both wished Clinton well from the campaign trail.
"He is in our thoughts and prayers. We send him our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery," Bush told an audience in West Allis, Wisconsin.
"Every single one of us wants to extend to him our best wishes, our prayers and our thoughts," Kerry said during a rally in Newark, Ohio. "And I want you all to let a cheer out and clap that he can hear all the way to New York, all the way to New York.
No known history of heart trouble
Clinton, 58, has been in good health with no known history of heart problems.
A medical report in January of 2001 showed he had an above-normal cholesterol level and borderline high blood pressure.
During his presidency, Clinton had a reputation for eating fast-food meals.
Since leaving office, Clinton has lost weight and he told talk show host Oprah Winfrey that he had gone on the South Beach diet.
In recent days, he has continued to maintain an active schedule.
Last Sunday, Clinton delivered what was described as an energetic and forceful sermon at Manhattan's historic Riverside Church.
On Monday, Clinton was on the campaign trail in Pittsburgh, stumping for Rep. Joe Hoeffel, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate running against incumbent Arlen Specter. (Special report: America Votes 2004, Pennsylvania's races)
And on Wednesday, Clinton participated in a book signing in New Orleans.
During that appearance, Clinton was asked about his weight loss after leaving office.
"I work out a lot and I went on the South Beach Diet for a while, that helped, but the combination -- I have a wonderful man that comes in two or three times a week and we work out," he said.
"You know when you get older you really got to watch it. It gets harder. The older I get, the harder it is (to lose weight)."
Former president's office cites 'mild chest pain'
From John King and Ed Henry
CNN Washington Bureau
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton will undergo heart bypass surgery as early as Saturday.
Clinton was in New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Friday undergoing tests for chest discomfort.
Clinton's office issued the following statement:
"Former President Bill Clinton is being admitted to New York-Presbyterian Hospital today and is scheduled to have bypass surgery.
"The former president went to Northern Westchester Hospital yesterday afternoon after experiencing mild chest pain and shortness of breath. Initial testing was normal and he spent the night at home in nearby Chappaqua, New York. After undergoing additional testing this morning at Westchester Medical Center, doctors advised he should undergo bypass surgery.
"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and (daughter) Chelsea Clinton will be with the president in New York City."
Clinton had been scheduled to tour the New York State Fair in Syracuse Friday afternoon with Sen. Clinton.
Sen. Clinton, who did visit the fair, cut short that visit. She said Clinton had expected to join her but after the tests his doctors had advised him to have the bypass surgery "as soon as he could."
She said the former president felt fine Friday morning, but added, "We have to really follow through on the recommendations the physicians have made. He's in excellent hands and he's at one of the great hospitals in the world, but I'm going to leave now to go and be with him."
President Bush and his Democratic rival Sen. John Kerry both wished Clinton well from the campaign trail.
"He is in our thoughts and prayers. We send him our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery," Bush told an audience in West Allis, Wisconsin.
"Every single one of us wants to extend to him our best wishes, our prayers and our thoughts," Kerry said during a rally in Newark, Ohio. "And I want you all to let a cheer out and clap that he can hear all the way to New York, all the way to New York.
No known history of heart trouble
Clinton, 58, has been in good health with no known history of heart problems.
A medical report in January of 2001 showed he had an above-normal cholesterol level and borderline high blood pressure.
During his presidency, Clinton had a reputation for eating fast-food meals.
Since leaving office, Clinton has lost weight and he told talk show host Oprah Winfrey that he had gone on the South Beach diet.
In recent days, he has continued to maintain an active schedule.
Last Sunday, Clinton delivered what was described as an energetic and forceful sermon at Manhattan's historic Riverside Church.
On Monday, Clinton was on the campaign trail in Pittsburgh, stumping for Rep. Joe Hoeffel, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate running against incumbent Arlen Specter. (Special report: America Votes 2004, Pennsylvania's races)
And on Wednesday, Clinton participated in a book signing in New Orleans.
During that appearance, Clinton was asked about his weight loss after leaving office.
"I work out a lot and I went on the South Beach Diet for a while, that helped, but the combination -- I have a wonderful man that comes in two or three times a week and we work out," he said.
"You know when you get older you really got to watch it. It gets harder. The older I get, the harder it is (to lose weight)."
