NEW YORK, Sept 6 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton should make a full recovery and live out a normal life span after quadruple bypass heart surgery here on Monday, his doctors said.
But they said Clinton had been running a "substantial" risk of a heart attack in the near future when he arrived at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Friday, complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath.
"He is recovering normally at this point, so I think everything looks straightforward," said Craig Smith, the head surgeon on the team that carried out the four-hour operation.
"There was nothing in this case that was outside the realm of routine," Smith told a press conference after the surgery.
His colleague, Allan Schwartz, said Clinton was awake but sedated, still on a breathing tube and unable to speak after the procedure.
The team said that it was evident after their first examination that the 58-year-old Clinton, whose passion for junk food was no secret during his eight years in the White House, needed to have surgery.
"The pictures of the arteries to his heart showed extensive blockage in each of the vessels supplying blood," Schwartz said.
"Several of the vessels had a blockage well over 90 percent," he said. "There was a substantial likelihood that he would have had a substantial heart attack in the near future."
Despite his condition, Clinton spoke from hospital for 90 minutes on Saturday to give advice to fellow Democrat John Kerry, whose presidential race against President George W. Bush has faltered, the New York Times reported.
Democratic party chairman Terry McAuliffe said Clinton had been expected to make 10 appearances for Kerry in September and campaign extensively for him in October, it said, and the doctors said he should be able to resume a full schedule.
"I would encourage him to resume all activities, including campaigning, as we both deem that safe and appropriate," Schwartz said. "He is generally extremely healthy."
Clinton`s wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea issued a statement that was read at the press conference.
"The president`s optimism and faith will carry him through the difficult weeks and months ahead. Of that we have no doubt," they said.
Smith said that Clinton`s heart was stopped for 73 minutes during the common but delicate procedure, but called that amount of time routine and downplayed any speculation that the former president could suffer brain damage from the procedure.
"Within routine," Smith said. "It`s heart surgery."