By Michael P. Ventura
DNAinfo Associate Editor
MANHATTAN — Former President Bill Clinton was released New York-Presbyterian Columbia Hospital on Friday morning after surgery to clear a blocked heart artery.
Clinton experienced chest pains earlier this week and doctors at the Washington Heights hospital placed two stents into his coronary artery to clear plaque that had built up since he had quadruple bypass surgery six years ago.
"He would have had a heart attack at some point," a hospital source told the Daily News, when asked what would have happened if he'd continued to ignore the symptoms.
The former president delayed coming to the hospital for several days, partly due to the blizzard that hit the city this week.
Clinton's doctor, Dr. Alan Schwartz, said the president's heart problems were not caused by poor diet or lack of exercise.
“I expect President Clinton to resume his very active lifestyle,” Dr. Schwartz said, the New York Times reported. “President Clinton has really toed the line in terms of diet and exercise.”
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delayed a trip to the Middle East to be with her husband at the hospital.
More than 150 members of the media joined them, as reporters decended on the Washington Heights hospital when news of Clinton's ailment broke.
“President Clinton is in good spirits and will continue to focus on the work of his foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts,” said spokesman Douglas J. Band in a statement.
