Skip to main content

Former VP Cheney's hospitalization related to his heart trouble

By the CNN Wire Staff
Former Vice President Dick Cheney was admitted to the hospital on Friday, his office said.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney was admitted to the hospital on Friday, his office said.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Cheney hospitalized for fluid retention related to his heart disease
  • He is expected to be released within a day or two
  • Former VP has long history of heart problems
  • He suffered 5th heart attack in February
RELATED TOPICS

(CNN) -- The cause for former Vice President Dick Cheney's hospitalization is related to his recurring heart trouble, a family friend of Cheney's told CNN Sunday.

Cheney was suffering from atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythm, the friend said.

Cheney was admitted to George Washington University Hospital on Friday as a result of "progressive retention of fluid related to his coronary artery disease," Cheney's office said.

At the hospital, Cheney was placed on intravenous medication and his condition has "markedly improved," his office said in a statement Saturday.

On Sunday, Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney, said that the former vice president was "feeling better" and would hopefully be released Monday.

Cheney has a long history of heart problems. He suffered his first heart attack in 1978, when he was 37.

He had his second heart attack in 1984 and a third in 1988 and underwent a quadruple bypass surgery to unblock his arteries. Shortly after Cheney was elected vice president in November 2000, he had a fourth heart attack and received a stent to open an artery.

In February, Cheney suffered his fifth heart attack.

CNN's John King contributed to this report