Procedure successful after artery blockage found during his annual physical
WebMD News from HealthDay
By HealthDay staff
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Former President George W. Bush underwent heart surgery Tuesday morning after an artery blockage was discovered during his annual physical.
Bush had a stent placed in an artery during the procedure, which was done at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. The procedure was successfully completed "without complications" and Bush was "in high spirits," according to a statement released by his office.
The blockage was discovered at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas on Monday and, following a recommendation by his doctors, Bush agreed to go ahead with the procedure.
The 67-year-old former president, known to be an avid outdoor enthusiast, is "eager to return home tomorrow and resume his normal schedule on Thursday," his office statement said.
"He is grateful to the skilled medical professionals who have cared for him. He thanks his family, friends, and fellow citizens for their prayers and well wishes. And he encourages us all to get our regular check-ups," the statement added.
CNN reported that Bush's annual exam in 2006 showed that he had no signs of hypertension or stroke, and had a "low" to "very low" coronary artery disease risk profile with an absence of modifiable risk factors.
The 2006 report also said he had "minimal/mild" coronary artery calcification, a common sign of early artery disease in which the lining of aortic wall becomes inflamed and plaque starts to build up over time, CNN added.
Tuesday's statement from Bush's office offered no details on the artery blockage that was discovered.
Heart experts were quick to echo Bush's reminder on getting regular check-ups.
Dr. Lawrence Phillips, an assistant professor in the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said, "Heart disease can attack anyone. We know that by decreasing an individual's risk factors, we can significantly decrease the risk of developing coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart muscle. Risk factors that can be modified include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and stopping smoking."
He added, "Sometimes we are fooled to think that heart disease only impacts people who are overweight, eat unhealthy and have multiple medical problems. That is just not true. Our job in the medical community is to educate people to know their own risk factors, how to modify them, and when you need to have more of an evaluation."
Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that Bush "underwent a stent implantation of his coronary artery due to an abnormal stress test."
She added, "Blockages of the artery, or atherosclerosis, develop from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyle and family history. His job now will be to modify those risk factors to keep all of them in check."
source : Former President George W. Bush Gets Heart Stent
