Congressman recovering from heart scare

[eppur_se_muova]

Source: CNN

Posted: 01:46 PM ET

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston


WASHINGTON (CNN) – Rep. Pete Olson was “rushed” from Capitol Hill to the hospital Thursday, and doctors “equipped” him with a “dual chamber pacemaker,” the Texas Republican wrote in an e-mail to political supporters.

“While working out in the House gym, I got quite dizzy and fainted,” Olson said in the note sent Friday by his campaign committee. “After being rushed to George Washington University Hospital, it was determined that I had a condition called bradycardia, which is medical talk for a slow heart beat. Whatever they call it, it wasn't good and I don't recommend it.”

Olson added, “The docs have now equipped me with a dual chamber pacemaker to ensure my ticker doesn't pull such a stunt again. I feel fine and was ready to get back to work yesterday afternoon, but cooler heads have instructed I rest a little more.”

A cardiologist at George Washington University Hospital said that the “procedure went smoothly with no complications.”

“This is a common, often asymptomatic, condition and we expect the Congressman to resume his active lifestyle,” said Allen Solomon, cardiologist at the George Washington University Hospital and professor of Medicine.


Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

---

Repugs have slow hearts?

Who knew?

:hide:

[LeftishBrit]

1. Very glad he's got the right treatment and is on the mend!

It shows the importance of prompt and appropriate medical care, and I hope he will see the importance of making it available to all his country's citizens.

[Laelth]

7. Hear, hear! (though I suspect your hope is misplaced) n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[LisaM]

2. I wish him well, but note the differences in his life from the rest of us

He has a gym at work. He had immediate access to good medical care. He probably didn't have to pay for it. He's now equipped with a device that might cause bankruptcy (or death) for someone without good insurance.

I don't know why, but those details jumped out at me in this story. I hope he realizes he is not only lucky, but privileged.

[KansDem]

3. Why does the House have its own gym?

Wish I had one where I worked...

[LisaM]

6. I guess I wasn't the only one to pick up those details!

GMTA.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Those are good points.

Of course, he'll probably fight tooth and nail against universal health care.

[KansDem]

5. Poor guy. Hope he has good medical insurance! (nt)

[madamesilverspurs]

8. He does,

and it's taxpayer funded. The same thing that his party calls 'socialized medicine' for the rest of us.

Wish that his pacemaker could open his eyes...

[eppur_se_muova]

9. They needed to wire it to his brain -- and give Obama the remote.

:evilgrin: That should flip a few votes.

[Spinzonner]

10. A Republican has a heart ?