President Bill Clinton hospitalized, some reports say chest pains

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Word is breaking that William Jefferson Clinton, America’s 42nd President, has been hospitalized in New York City, perhaps following a cardiac incident.

Clinton, who has been busy of late working with his successor George W. Bush to coordinate support for earthquake-ravaged Haiti, had bypass surgery in 2004. CBS reminds me that it was a quadruple coronary bypass – not a small bit of work.

According to ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos, Clinton may have been having a stent operation performed in New York City. NBC News is also reporting that, and that he had a chest pains today, too.

Hopefully Bubba will recover quickly, cardiac surgeries being as strong as they are these days. As you’ll recall, radio commentator and long time Clinton bete noire had a cardiac incident around the New Year while he was in Hawaii, and he was back in business quickly thereafter. Hopefully Clinton will fare just as well. Given that he used to be America’s jogger-in-chief, I hope he’s doing a lot to keep his heart in good shape. Once it’s damaged, it’s damaged, but there’s a lot you can do to keep it healthy.

Update: 5:03 PM – NBC is adding that Clinton had called the doctor Wednesday “but postponed the appointment until Thursday. Note: Do not postpone a visit to the doctor if you’re feeling chest pains, go straight to the emergency room.

5:08 pm – Two stents in one coronary artery according to the Associated Press. ABC gets in that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton didn’t seem too concerned, but believe of that what you…

5:10 pm – Politico adds from adviser Douglas Band’s statements, “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.”

Developing…