Clinton in ‘good spirits’ after heart procedure

NEW YORK – Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was said to be in "good spirits" Thursday night after being admitted to a New York hospital with chest pains.

Surgeons placed two stents in one of his coronary arteries in a bid to increase blood flow to his heart, according to a statement issued by Douglas Band, Clinton’s counsellor.

The procedure took place on the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital, where Clinton, 63, underwent successful quadruple heart bypass surgery on Labour Day in 2004.

Clinton had felt "discomfort in his chest" and entered the hospital after visiting his cardiologist, Band’s statement said.

Clinton, whose foundation is dedicated to combating poverty and disease, had not long returned from a visit to earthquake-struck Haiti.

He was in the Caribbean country in his stepped-up capacity as United Nations-appointed co-ordinator of relief operations, after serving since May 2009 as UN special envoy to the impoverished nation.

Hillary Clinton, the U.S. secretary of state, was Thursday night heading to New York after attending a routine weekly meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, who was expected to place a call to the former president from Washington.

The Clintons’ only child, Chelsea, 29, who is engaged to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, with a wedding expected this year, was at her father’s hospital bedside Thursday night.

Clinton famously lived somewhat large during his 1993-2001 presidency, frequently eating unhealthy foods. He has also continued to be extremely active since leaving the presidency, not only as head of his foundation, but also on several special international assignments, including as UN envoy for rebuilding following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Band’s statement said Clinton "will continue to focus on the work of his foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts."

Doctors say insertion of the stents suggest that the blockages in his affected artery were extensive, but add that the procedure is not painful, and that Band’s characterization of Clinton doing well is consistent with what might be expected.

Clinton underwent a second operation in March 2005 to remove scar tissue sourced to the bypass surgery, and fluid that had built up in the lungs.

Reports say he consulted his cardiologist about his latest chest pains as many as a couple of days ago, and is believed to have undergone tests.