Blair told to take a day off

2003-10-20 08:23

London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair is taking a day off on Monday, recuperating at home after being treated in a hospital for a rapid, irregular heartbeat.

It was the first episode of ill health for the fit and youthful looking 50-year-old leader, who has had a stressful year battling continuing criticism of his decision to go to war in Iraq and because of turmoil within the governing Labour Party over domestic political issues.

Blair was spending the weekend at Chequers, his official country residence, when he felt ill, his office said. He was first taken to a local hospital, then to London's Hammersmith Hospital, which has a specialist coronary care unit.

"There it was established he had an irregular heartbeat and a cardioversion was administered to regulate it," Blair's office said. Cardioversion is the use of an electrical stimulus to restore a normal rhythm.

"This was completely successful," said a statement issued by Blair's official residence at No 10 Downing St.

"He was in hospital for four to five hours and is now back at No 10. The hospital says this is a relatively common condition and is easily treated," the statement said.

Rest for 24 hours

"He has suffered no damage and he is fine. There is no reason why this should recur. They have advised him to rest for 24 hours."

Sky News reports that despite the doctors' recommendation to take the day off, Blair will attend some meetings at Downing Street.

Blair was expected to return to work full-time on Tuesday, his office said. He will not make a planned statement to the House of Commons on Monday about a European summit he attended last week.

Sir Charles George, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said he understood Blair suffered supraventricular tachycardia, characterised by an elevated pulse rate.

He said triggers could include stress, too much caffeine or some minor abnormality which had existed from birth. "The evidence shows that these things happen out of the blue," George said.

The prime minister has appeared increasingly tired in public, often looking haggard at press conferences.

In a magazine interview before his 50th birthday in May, Blair said he felt great.

"I do more exercise today than I've done since I was at school," he told Saga magazine.

"I pay more attention to looking after myself, I watch my diet a bit. But really I find it's exercise that's fantastically helpful for coping with stress."

Part of his exercise program is frequent use of a treadmill, he said.

In a September 30 speech to the Labour Party conference, Blair acknowledged he had hit a "rough patch."

"I now look my age," he joked.

- AP