Former President Bill Clinton was taken to a New York hospital today, and underwent surgery to have two stents placed into one of his coronary arteries, his spokesman said.
Mr. Clinton has had a history of heart trouble.
Douglas Band, counselor to Mr. Clinton, issued this statement: “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.”
The former president has been spending much of his time in recent weeks working on relief for Haiti following the devastating earthquake and just returned from a trip there several days ago. He serves as the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.
Mr. Clinton had quadruple coronary artery bypass in 2004 and later developed complications that required a second operation months later.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton learned of her husband’s condition after she concluded a meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office.
An associate of Mrs. Clinton’s said she was in Washington, but making plans to head to New York City late Wednesday afternoon
