Brief history of Cheney’s medical problems

updated 7:51 a.m. ET Jan. 9, 2006

Below is a summary of Vice President Dick Cheney’s medical problems:

• 1978: Cheney’s first heart attack, at age 37. He quit smoking that year.
• 1984: His second heart attack.
• 1988: After suffering his third heart attack, Cheney had quadruple bypass surgery in August to clear clogged arteries.
• 2000: Cheney suffered what doctors called a “very slight” heart attack, his fourth, and underwent an angioplasty to open a clogged artery. Cheney began a daily 30-minute regimen on the treadmill and began eating healthier. He also began taking medication to lower his cholesterol.
• March 5, 2001: Just over 100 days later, Cheney felt chest pains and underwent another angioplasty to reopen the same artery.
• June 30, 2001: Cheney returned to the hospital and had a special pacemaker called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, inserted into his chest. During his 2004 annual checkup, doctors said the device had never automatically activated to regulate, which they said meant the heart was functioning normally.
• Nov. 13, 2004: Cheney entered the hospital after complaining of shortness of breath. He left after three hours. An aide said tests found no abnormalities.
• Sept. 24, 2005: He underwent surgery to repair an arterial aneurysm on the back of each knee.
• Jan. 9, 2006: Cheney is taken to a Washington hospital experiencing shortness of breath attributed to fluid retention as a result of medication for a foot problem. He is placed on a diuretic and released after a few hours.

MORE FROM POLITICS

Politics Section Front

CQ: GOP presidential hopefuls — You’re on notice   Obama, Hu stress cooperation Poll: Americans fret over health overhaul costs Obama’s bow in Japan sparks some criticism Newsweek: Would House health bill boost spending? Mutual financial reliance binds U.S., China NYT: Drug firms raise prices ahead of reform From Levi to Letterman: Palin's rough year Carter defends handling of Iran hostage crisis FDR papers to become public soon Politics Section Front   Add Politics headlines to your news reader: