Cheney hospitalized with chest, shoulder pains

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney was hospitalized Wednesday with chest and shoulder pains, the campaign for Gov. George W. Bush said. <br><br>He was admitted to George

Wednesday, November 22nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney was hospitalized Wednesday with chest and shoulder pains, the campaign for Gov. George W. Bush said.

He was admitted to George Washington University Hospital overnight complaining of discomfort. He was said to be "comfortable."

Bush campaign communications director Karen Hughes said EKG tests showed no abnormality and that blood tests showed that his cardiac enzymes were normal.

"He is free of discomfort, but remains hospitalized for further tests and observation," Hughes said.

Cheney had traveled from Austin, Texas, to Washington to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family members. Hughes said campaign chairman Don Evans spoke to Cheney by telephone in the hospital and the former defense secretary sounded calm and described himself as comfortable.

Cheney has experienced chest pains in the past and has admitted himself for testing as a precaution during those past episodes, Hughes said.

History of heart problems
When Bush selected Cheney as his running mate, he knew the former Wyoming congressman and White House chief of staff had a history of heart problems.

Cheney, 59, had three heart attacks and quadruple cardiac bypass surgery before turning 50, but recently said he now leads an "extraordinarily vigorous lifestyle." Cheney says he quit smoking, exercises regularly and takes medicine to lower his cholesterol.

Dr. Jonathan S. Reiner, a George Washington University cardiologist, said earlier in the presidential campaign that cardiac stress tests "have been stable and unchanged for the past several years."

Cheney's first attack, at age 37, was in 1978. He had a second in 1984 and a third in 1988. All were described as mild. In August of 1988, Cheney underwent the bypass surgery because of arterial blockages.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.