WASHINGTON (AFP) - Vice President Dick Cheney, who has a history of serious heart trouble, underwent testing at a Washington hospital after experiencing shortness of breath, but was released when no major problems were found, the White House said.
Cheney, 63, checked himself into George Washington University Hospital "on the recommendation of his doctors," White House spokesman Ken Lisaius told AFP.
"He`s had a bad cold, which could well be the cause for this shortness of breath. But taking every precaution, as anyone with his history should do, he`s having it checked out."
Cheney`s long-time cardiologist, Doctor Jonathan Reiner, said the vice president was released from the hospital after tests ruled out any major health problems. US media showed video of Cheney waving as he left the hospital along with his wife, Lynne.
"Tests ruled out any cardiac cause of the vice president`s symptoms. Tests also ruled out pneumonia and other pulmonary causes. The vice president likely has a viral, upper respiratory infection," Reiner said in a statement distributed by the White House.
Cheney was recently re-elected to a second four-year term under President George W. Bush. He underwent angioplasty in November 2000 after suffering his fourth heart attack since 1978.
He had a cardioverter defibrillator implanted in June 2001 after he was treated for cardiac troubles after entering office with Bush in January 2001.
The device, implanted just beneath Cheney`s left collarbone, can administer electric shocks to slow a potentially dangerous racing heartbeat or speed up an excessively slow one.
Cheney, a former defense secretary and representative from Wyoming, is considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history and is fiercely loyal to Bush, having no White House ambitions of his own due to his poor health.
11/13/2004 - 22:50 GMT - AFP