Clinton set to face heart bypass op

FORMER US President Bill Clinton is to undergo heart bypass surgery after suffering chest pains.

The two-term president's office confirmed yesterday that the 58-year-old will have the operation at a hospital in New York City after doctors found a blockage during tests.

His wife, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, and daughter Chelsea were travelling to be by his side.

"Former President Bill Clinton is being admitted into New York Presbyterian Hospital today and is scheduled to have bypass surgery," a statement from Mr Clinton's office said yesterday.

Mr Clinton went to a hospital near his home in Westchester, New York state, on Thursday complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.

"Initial testing was normal and he spent the night at home in nearby Chappaqua, New York," the statement said.

"After undergoing additional testing this morning at Westchester Medical Centre, doctors advised he should undergo bypass surgery."

It was not clear when the operation would go ahead but sources said it could be as early as today.

According to ABC News, Mr Clinton may face quadruple bypass surgery at the hospital.

Mrs Clinton said she spoke to her husband yesterday after he had initial tests. He was supposed to join her yesterday at a fair in upstate New York.

Speaking to visitors to the fair in Syracuse, she said: "He said he felt fine and not to worry and he would see me at the fair. But his doctors asked him to come back early this morning for some additional tests.

"They did advise him to have bypass surgery and to do it as soon as he could."

She added: "He is in excellent hands and he has got one of the greatest hospitals in the world."

Mr Clinton has lost a lot of weight since leaving office in 2001 and friends have said he has been dieting and exercising recently.

He drifted out of the public eye after his presidency but recently came back into focus, speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July.

He promised to be a "foot soldier" to help Democratic Senator John Kerry defeat George Bush in the November election.

Mr Clinton also widely publicised his best-selling autobiography, My Life, in recent months.

Mr Kerry, on a campaign stop in Ohio, told supporters: "Every single one of us wants to extend to him our best wishes, our prayers and our thoughts."

The New York Presbyterian Hospital refused to comment. Mr Clinton's Secret Service bodyguards were seen patrolling the hospital.