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Cheney has artery problems
17/07/2005 10:03 - (SA)
Washington - US vice president Richard Cheney was diagnosed on Saturday with mild irritation of his oesophagus as he completed the second phase of his annual medical examination, his spokesperson said.
The 64-year-old vice president, who has a long history of heart disease and who wears a pacemaker, went to George Washington University Hospital for a second time this month to undergo a colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and vascular screening, according to the spokesperson Lea Anne McBride.
"The colonoscopy was normal," she said in a statement released after the checkup. "Endoscopy indicated mild oesophagi's. Vascular screening identified small, dilated segments of the arteries behind both knees."
The oesophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, could become irritated as a result of surgery, frequent intake of medication or nausea, said medical experts.
No specific treatment was suggested at this point, according to McBride, who said Cheney was "awaiting final recommendations from his medical team."
He returned home to resume his normal schedule following the check-up.
The first phase of his examination last week focused on the vice president's heart and the pacemaker he received in 2001 following a mild heart attack.
The device is designed to jump-start his heart in case of irregular heartbeat.
- AFP
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