"Tests ruled out any cardiac cause of the vice president's symptoms," said a statement issued by Cheney's cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner. "Tests also ruled out pneumonia and other pulmonary causes -- the vice president likely has a viral, upper respiratory infection."
After suffering shortness of breath Saturday afternoon, Cheney was taken to the George Washington University Medical Center's Cardiac Care Unit on the advice of Reiner.
An electrocardiogram was conducted and showed no heart attack. A second test of Cheney's cardiac defibrillator showed that the 63-year-old vice president's heart had not been racing and the pacemaker had not been activated, reported Fox News.
The White House said Cheney, who has a heart condition, could be having the shortness of breath because of a cold, CNN reported.
Cheney has recently been considered in good health; however, he has been battling a cold and has had a vigorous travel schedule during the presidential campaign. He also took a hunting trip following Election Day. Cheney eats a heart healthy diet and has an exercise regime.
Cheney has had four heart attacks, his first at age 37 in 1978. Following mild heart attacks in 1984 and 1988, Cheney underwent quadruple cardiac bypass surgery because of blocked arteries. After a fourth heart attack, Cheney had an angioplasty to open a coronary artery and a stent -- a wire-mesh tube -- was inserted to help keep the artery open. Later, this procedure was repeated.
In 2001, Cheney received a cardioverter defibrillator to regulate his heartbeat.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International
