Cheney leaves hospital after heart surgery

US Vice-President Dick Cheney is being released from a Washington hospital after overnight heart surgery.

Mr Cheney, 60, has a history of heart problems but doctors say he should be able to continue unimpeded by his latest heart problems.

They shrugged off any suggestion he should curtail travel or his heavy workload.

But Mr Cheney also was given some tough news after he had an angioplasty to unclog a coronary artery.

Even if he sticks to his no-beef diet and rigorous workout regime, there is a fair chance he will be back in the hospital facing the same trouble soon.

"Well, it's possible for the narrowing to come back, and I think I quoted around 40%," said Dr Jonathan Reiner, who performed the surgery at George Washington University.

"There are studies that may show, you know, a little bit higher than that. If the narrowing is going to come back, usually it comes back within the first six months."

Mr Cheney, who has had four heart attacks, underwent the angioplasty after a series of subtle pains in his chest. Doctors do not believe he suffered another heart attack.

"There is a very high likelihood he can finish out his term in his fully vigorous capacity," Dr Reiner said. Mr Cheney quickly resumed a full schedule after his November operation.

Mr Cheney told President George W Bush he was feeling fine and looking forward to returning to work.