capesidefan

from http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...pr_wh/cheney_6

Cheney, Short of Breath, Heads to Hospital

12 minutes ago White House - AP


By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites), who has a history of heart trouble, was having tests at a hospital Saturday after experiencing some shortness of breath, a White House spokesman said.

"On the recommendation of his doctors, the vice president is going to George Washington University Hospital for some tests," spokesman Ken Lisaius said. "He experienced some shortness of breath Saturday morning and has had a bad cold, which could be the cause for the shortness of breath."


President Bush (news - web sites) was notified, Lisaius said.


Cheney's cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, was to oversee the tests.


The 63-year-old Cheney has had four heart attacks, although none as vice president. He kept up a heavy travel schedule during Bush's re-election campaign, often traveling with his wife, Lynne Cheney.


Lisaius said Cheney is taking every precaution "as anyone with history should do" and is having himself checked out. It was unclear whether Cheney would be admitted to the hospital, or would be there only for tests.


In June 2001, he had a pacemaker implanted in his chest. At his annual heart checkup on May 11, doctors determined that the pacemaker, called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, was working fine and never had had to assist his heart.


The device is designed to activate automatically if needed to regulate the patient's heartbeat.


Ahead of the fall presidential campaign, Cheney dismissed speculation that his health might keep him from running again with Bush. He said his health had been good and that he could not think of any circumstances that would prompt to decline the role.


"He's asked me to serve again and I'll be happy to do that," Cheney said in March.


His first heart attack occurred in 1978, when he was 37. He had a second in 1984, and after suffering his third heart attack, in 1988, Cheney had quadruple bypass surgery to clear clogged arteries.


On Nov. 22, 2000, Cheney suffered what doctors called a "very slight" heart attack and had an angioplasty to open a clogged artery.


Cheney was back in the hospital on March 5, 2001, after complaining of chest pains. Doctors performed another angioplasty to reopen the same artery.


After his fourth heart attack, Cheney quit smoking, began regular daily exercises for 30 minutes on a treadmill and said he began watching his diet. He takes medication to lower his cholesterol.

SweetLisaLisa

Didn't vote for him but I know how it feels to be in that situation--heart problem, pace maker, short of breath. It sucks majorly. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Hope he gets better.

mh67511

Look I feel bad for him but this last paragraph pissed me off:

After his fourth? So apparently his first, second, and third were no big deal to him? That's the problem in America! Everyone wants to take a pill and nobody wants to change their lifestyle.

Of course there a lot of problems that happen no matter how healthy someone is, but a vast majority of chronic diseases and death are related in full or in part to lifestyle.

alli balli

He must be a robot. Who in the world has four heart attacks and lives through 'em all!?

Ambular

I feel bad for the guy, but also not. Dude - learn to take better care of yourself! Not everyone is lucky enough to survive four heart attacks - some of us only get one. How much more of a wake-up call do you need to change your health habits than a possibly-fatal heart attack? Geez.

This reminds me of that SNL skit with Chris Farley and Mike Myers, when they were Chicago Bears fans .. And Chris Farley had a heart attack on every show Heh.

I guess I should be more sympathetic, though. It must be frustrating for his family.

CrabbyCancer69