Former President Clinton Hospitalized, Undergoes Heart Procedure

Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized Thursday in New York after complaining about chest pain.

A statement released by Douglas Band, a counselor to Clinton, read:

“Today President Bill Clinton was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest. Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts. In 2004, President Clinton underwent a successful quadruple bypass operation to free four blocked arteries.”

His wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, flew to New York City from Washington this afternoon, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Clinton, who has suffered from [being] overweight often in his life, lost considerable poundage after his previous heart problem. The pain could come from a partial blockage of an artery and the stents would reopen the passage. He is expected to stay in the hospital an undetermined time.

Secretary Clinton was scheduled to depart Friday for a diplomatic trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A State Department official told the Washington Post: “If we have anything to add beyond that, we will, including any changes to her schedule in the coming days.”

Last month, former President Clinton spoke with Jim Lehrer about the U.S. role in the Haiti earthquake relief effort.