Bill Clinton in Hospital, Doing Okay, Hillary Heads to NY

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:17:00 PM EST
Tags: Bill Clinton (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized today for heart issues. According to his spokesman, he's okay and had two stents implanted:

Today President Bill Clinton was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest. Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. 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. In 2004, President Clinton underwent a successful quadruple bypass operation to free four blocked arteries.

Send good thoughts his way.

Update: ABC News reports Hillary Clinton is en route to New York. Follow the Clinton Foundations' twitter feed for updates. He's already a trending topic. CNN reports Chelsea is at the hospital too.

< Reid Nixes Baucus' "Tax Cuts For The Rich"Jobs Bill | Thursday Night Open Thread >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Bill Clinton in Hospital, Doing Okay, Hillary Heads to NY | 37 comments (37 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Good luck to WJC. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:17:27 PM EST

On a related note, I was advised recently of the new CPR procedure.

Apparently the old procedure of alternating mouth-to-mouth with chest pumping has been modified now to just chest pumping.

They say the blood in the body has enough oxygen in it to keep the brain and the rest of the body alive for a long time, like 20 minutes or more.

Therefor, they say, by pumping the chest hard at around 100 pumps/minute you will force the heart to pump this oxygen-rich blood through the body and keep the person alive.

Another tip (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:45:38 PM EST

If you keep aspirin on hand in case you have angina/chest pain/potential heart attack and need to take it right away, make sure it's NOT enteric coated. Chewable aspirin is one of the best choices, since it's more quickly absorbed.


Translation please (none / 0) (#24)
by shoephone on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 09:17:33 PM EST

What is "enteric-coated"? Besides the chewable option, which brands are or aren't enteric-coated?


From Medicine.Net (none / 0) (#25)
by Anne on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 09:32:40 PM EST

Enteric-coated: Coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released.

Ecotrin is an enteric-coated aspirin; my mother takes one 81 mg tablet daily as an additional blod-clot preventing aid (she also takes Plavix).


Unless (none / 0) (#27)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 09:50:10 PM EST

Enteric coated means that it has a coating on it that allows the aspirin to pass relatively undisturbed through the stomach to the small intestine where it is absorbed. Theoretically the coating is supposed to prevent stomach upset because the aspirin doesn't dissolve in the stomach. However, because aspirin's stomach upset is greatly due to it's inherent benefit AND side effect of inhibiting prostaglandins (which in the stomach are protective), enteric aspirin may not be as protective to the stomach as once thought.

Unless it says it's enteric coated, it's probably not. Many brands have both enteric and non-enteric aspirin. Ask the pharmacist at whatever pharmacy you go to. The jury is out about whether enteric coated aspirin is as effective as regular aspirin for blood thinning. But it's always better safe than sorry in a heart attack case. Just keep the non-enteric coated around -- in case.

Here's the best article I could find on the subject in a 2-minute tired google: Link


Mine is clearly marked that it is coated (none / 0) (#28)
by nycstray on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 09:52:48 PM EST

I buy the low dose therapy aspirin (generic) because I tend to be sensitive (must be my child like weight, lol!~) to OTC drugs. Mine's marked right on the front of the label saying it's coated in a readable sized type. My first aid kit has non-coated reg aspirin in it.


: Thanks for all three responses! (none / 0) (#35)
by shoephone on Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 01:31:16 AM EST

Coincidentally, I did end up at the drug store a couple hours after posting my question, and talked to the pharmacist about it. So... now I am the neighborhood expert on aspirin coatings!

Thanks for this update. I already (none / 0) (#3)
by hairspray on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:30:35 PM EST

knew about it. But many do not. Often a person has frothy/stomach contents in his/her mouth and it takes a hero to be willing to do mouth-to mouth
under those conditions. This makes it much easier to get a willing assister when chest compressions are all that are required.


The other thing, sarcastic unnamed, (none / 0) (#8)
by Zorba on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:08:03 PM EST

that people need to know is the importance of having an automated external defibrillator available. Supposedly, you need training, but they have such easy instructions, almost anyone can use them in an emergency. A friend of my husband's was saved because of one of these. They should be available in every public space. And my thoughts and best wishes go out to Clinton and his family.


Yep, (none / 0) (#9)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:27:52 PM EST

Almost two years ago, one of the (none / 0) (#15)
by Anne on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 07:46:17 PM EST

secretaries collapsed in the ladies room, and by the time she was discovered, all efforts at CPR were for naught; she had had a massive heart attack and even the AED we had was not able to revive her.

Still, in addition to the all-volunteer CPR team we've had at the firm for some time, and the two AED's - one on each floor - we now have a phone in each of the bathrooms that once the receiver is lifted, will automatically call either the reception desk - during regular office hours - or 911 - after hours.

One thing the firm has done since that awful event is keep all of us current on CPR procedure, including that it is better to just do rapid chest compressions instead of the compression and respiration.

I have to say that that day was one of the worst in the firm's history, but, everyone on the CPR team acted quickly and professionally until official help arrived.

There's some comfort in knowing we have the equipment and CPR-trained personnel, but even so, we all hope we never again have a need for either.


I pumped on a colleague's chest (none / 0) (#16)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 07:56:28 PM EST

until the paramedics got there. I was sweat covered and the paramedics took me to the hospital as well. My colleague didn't make it. Not from lack of trying. Someone else was doing the breathing. I think if I'd done bot I would have hyperventilated.

this happened while teaching, not while in the military, jst to clarify.


Oh, (none / 0) (#20)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 08:09:18 PM EST

how awful. I'm sorry to hear that. It must have beeen quite an experience.


I'd repeat it (none / 0) (#23)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 08:54:34 PM EST

but hope for a better outcome. It did add to my love of people and life, though. It gave me some semblace of understanding, I think/hope, of why John-Paul chose to suffer in his last hours. I'm not Catholic, and certainly pro-choice. But trying to maintain a life, even of a stranger, has become important to me.


: You know, you go through the training, (none / 0) (#26)
by Anne on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 09:39:47 PM EST

and most of the time, you never have to use it; to be called upon to put that training to use, and then to have it end with death, is just devastating.
Even though the medical personnel assured the team that our co-worker was already gone by the time CPR was initiated, they still re-played it over and over looking for something they could have done that would have changed the outcome - that is about as human a reaction as it is possible to have.
You can only do the best you can at the time, and under the circumstances; that you placed yourself in a position to try to save someone's life is, in and of itself, both admirable and humbling.

Prayers for Clinton (5.00 / 5) (#2)
by athyrio on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 04:20:07 PM EST

Hope the docs were able to open his arteries up and he will live yet a long and productive life..

Amen to that! (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by kempis on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:03:39 PM EST

Bill has really done himself proud since leaving office. I hope he stays well and keeps moving mountains to help poor people around the globe. And it would be nice to see a Nobel Prize tossed his way at some point. After all, he has actually accomplished an enormous amount to alleviate poverty and suffering in underdeveloped nations.

Since he left office? (none / 0) (#30)
by hairspray on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:20:29 PM EST

: well, he did a good job in office, too. (none / 0) (#36)
by kempis on Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 05:03:05 AM EST

I was just thinking of his life now and post-presidency.

Thoughts & Best Wishes to President Clinton, (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by snstara on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:00:49 PM EST

the Secretary of State, and Chelsea. Get well soon, Big Dog!

Thinking of you, Big Dog. Take care, get well (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by Angel on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:05:44 PM EST

and keep spreading your goodwill and kindness throughout the world!

He's given so much of himself. (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by observed on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:06:42 PM EST

He's really amazing.

The former President (5.00 / 3) (#10)
by christinep on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:39:13 PM EST

To me, President Clinton stands as a reminder of America at its best in many, many ways. All too human, he led--through innovation and sheer determination--this country through an amazing transition period from the Cold War to the Age of Modern Communication, all the while guiding us into unique prosperity. With his powerful personality, he drew detractors on the right (and on the left)but seemed to grow as a politician, policy-wonk, and person because of it. I hope that he is here and active for many years to come. As a former President, he has shown us more than ever the real depth and breadth in his heart.

We need WJC (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by BackFromOhio on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 08:21:19 PM EST

This morning, after watching yet another assault on Miranda our Constitution -- this time served up Chuck Todd and co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, when interviewing Gibbs this morning about Republican claims that the WH policy on terror is putting the nation in danger -- I thought to myself, how can we put a stop to dangerous messages coming out of the MSM as well as Republican-leaning politicians that it's okay to discard the Constitution when suspected terrorists are involved and that America is safer when we do so? The Media reps seem to know little about the subject other than what they've read of the Republican talking points, and Gibbs was not equipped to counter them effectively. And I thought: We need someone like Bill Clinton, who has a down-home way of distilling the essence of complex concepts and communicating them in down-home language without any aura of condescension. Who else could explain the history and rationale behind Miranda and other rights of accused, while providing historical examples and other assurance that make clear that, in fact, intelligence professionals get the best information from "enemies" and other suspected criminals when they and their rights are respected? And who else could then bring the point home that those in custody whose rights are respected give credible evidence, whereas those who are tortured or mistreated, do not? I could just see WJC illustrating the points rather effectively, with examples from WWII and, in fact, the "would-be" Xmas day bomber.

Best wishes to WJC for a full and speedy recovery.


Not sure Clinton (none / 0) (#29)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:13:11 PM EST

would be on the side of civil liberties on this one- he authored the Executive Order which set up the "extraordinary rendition" process, and while he used law enforcement after the first WTC attack and the OKC bombing towards the end of his 2nd term his Admin took a more military approach (cruise missle strikes etc.)


Because he was so good in so (none / 0) (#31)
by hairspray on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:28:26 PM EST

many ways, I have to believe that he knew something we didn't and would only take actions in the best interests of the country. I recall Haiti when he didn't want to invade and finally didn't, but oh the wailing and teeth gnashing from the GOP for his lack of "balls." He also refused to invade Iraq in the face of mounting right wing attacks (they thought the lewinsky mess would make him a pushover) making me feel that he was not reckless in his policies (maybe his personal life).


No (none / 0) (#33)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:40:11 PM EST

he was great in a lot of ways- in fact to be truly honest most of my problems with Clinton are over things that occured in the last 2.5 years of his 2nd term- the repeal of Glass-Steingall, DOMA, Massive Deregulation, the EO I alluded to earlier, several highly questionable cruise missle strikes, etc- all occured post-1997, the pre-1997 stuff is generally laudable with only a few exceptions (initial in action in the Balkans, Rwanda, NAFTA, Welfare Reform- and that's basically it).


: You are right about some of the (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by hairspray on Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 06:50:55 PM EST

things. I read BTD 's thoughts on Glass Steagal and other interpretations. It isn't so simple. Looking it up I found lots of stuff:
Were the Walls Necessary? - The New Rules of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
"The limitations of the GSA on the banking sector sparked a debate over how much restriction is healthy for the industry. Many argued that allowing banks to diversify in moderation offers the banking industry the potential to reduce risk, so the restrictions of the GSA could have actually had an adverse effect, making the banking industry riskier rather than safer. Furthermore, big banks of the post-Enron market are likely to be more transparent, lessening the possibility of assuming too much risk or masking unsound investment decisions. As such, reputation has come to mean everything in today's market, and that could be enough to motivate banks to regulate themselves."
The last sentence is laughable considering how weak the SEC oversight has been, but the GOP was the culprit, not exclusively the repeal of GSA.
You can also look up BTD's pronouncement on GSA.

: I also think welfare reform was (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by hairspray on Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 06:57:48 PM EST

needed. It was first of all a lightening rod for the GOP and put the Democrats on the defensive. Many good Democrats lost races because of this racist strategy by the GOP. OTOH, welfare to work programs, while not wildly sucessful have not been abject failures either. It shifted the burden during the time of hope and properity under Clinton. Now that the GOP has put our country in the ditch, it is probably adding to the increasing poverty of children in this country. But it is jobs we need, education and mind set changes, not a new welfare program.

: The Balkans? Tell me you (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by hairspray on Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 07:02:07 PM EST

are kidding. That place is 100% better than it was under those thugs. How would you have handled it? To me it was a success. The bloodshed was Serbia and Croatia's doing.

Oh (none / 0) (#34)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:41:29 PM EST

and on Haiti- did you mean finally did? Because we re-installed Aristide with military force during the Clinton Admin (a good thing I would argue).


I saw Wes Clark on a few occasions (none / 0) (#32)
by hairspray on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 11:32:52 PM EST

explain in the way that Bill did. That was one of the reasons I wanted him back in 2004.


Best wishes to the Clintons (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by ruffian on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 06:56:07 PM EST

I hope it is as routine as my co-workers stent procedures are. He is in and out in one day.

Best wishes to President Clinton. (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 07:57:48 PM EST

You'll be okay, Big Dog, we still need you!

Get well soon Bill, (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by Andy08 on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 08:47:46 PM EST

we need you!!

Scary (none / 0) (#12)
by andgarden on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 05:58:06 PM EST

I hope he makes a full recovery.

: Yes, especially after (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Cream City on Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 06:20:25 PM EST

the problems (malpractice? wonder if it's going to go legal) in the Murtha surgery. No surgery, no hospital stay, no hospital visit! is a sure thing.