former president Gerald Ford have undergoes angioplasty

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Gerald Ford undergoes successful angioplasty

Procedure aimed at reducing blockage to heart

ROCHESTER, Minnesota (CNN) -- Former President Gerald Ford underwent a successful angioplasty procedure at the Mayo Clinic Thursday to reduce or eliminate blockages in his coronary arteries, his office said Friday.

Angioplasty involves inserting a catheter-guided balloon to expand blocked arteries.

"During the procedure, stents were placed in two of his coronary arteries in order to increase the blood flow through those arteries," according to a written statement released by Ford's office.

A stent is a wire mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. The procedure is often performed on elderly patients and recovery is usually routine.

Ford, 93, received a cardiac pacemaker on Monday at the clinic. The nation's 38th president was admitted to the clinic 10 days ago for "testing and evaluation."

After the procedure Ford returned to his room at Rochester's Mayo Clinic, the statement said, where he is "resting comfortably with his wife Betty and family."

The office said it anticipated no further releases or updates on his condition for several days.

Ford, who's been in frail health in recent years, has been hospitalized four times since December, including late last month, when he was admitted for two days to a hospital in Vail, Colorado, after complaining of shortness of breath.

In January, he spent 11 days in a hospital near his home in Rancho Mirage, California, being treated for pneumonia. In December, he was admitted to the same hospital for unspecified tests.

Ford was hospitalized in 2003 after suffering a dizzy spell while playing golf in 96-degree heat. He also suffered a mild stroke during the 2000 Republican National Convention.

Ford is the only president to have held office without being elected by the voters to the presidency or vice presidency.

He became then-President Richard Nixon's vice president in October 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned and pleaded no contest to bribery, conspiracy and extortion.

Ford assumed the presidency in August 1974, after the Watergate scandal forced then-President Richard Nixon from office. He then pardoned Nixon. Ford narrowly lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim and Dr. Sanjay Gupta contributed to this report.

but he doing great after his surgery the doctors told press and ex-president get rest after surgery im hope he will be fine.
 
Gerald Ford Leaves Hospital, Goes Home
Ex-President, 93, Discharged From Mayo Clinic After 2 Heart Procedures

(AP) Former President Gerald Ford was discharged from the Mayo Clinic on Monday, nearly two weeks after being admitted for tests and undergoing a pair of heart procedures.

Ford, 93, flew home to Rancho Mirage, Calif., with his wife Monday afternoon, Mayo spokesman Lee Aase said.

Ford received an implantable cardiac pacemaker last week to regulate his heartbeat. Later in the week, he underwent angioplasty, with stents in two of his coronary arteries to increase blood flow.

"He's doing well after having had those procedures in the last week," Aase said.

Ford's office issued a statement thanking Mayo staff.

"The Fords also wish to thank the American people for their prayers and countless messages of good wishes," the statement said.

Ford spent a few days in Colorado's Vail Valley Medical Center in July because of shortness of breath. In January, he was hospitalized for 12 days in Rancho Mirage to treat pneumonia. Five years ago, Ford suffered two small strokes and spent about a week in a hospital.

Ford became the nation's oldest living former president after the death of Ronald Reagan in 2004.

He was House minority leader when President Nixon chose him to replace Spiro Agnew, who resigned, as vice president in 1973.

Ford became president on Aug. 9, 1974, when Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal.

Gerald Ford Leaves Hospital, Goes Home, Ex-President, 93, Discharged From Mayo Clinic After 2 Heart Procedures - CBS News
 
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