BREAKING: State Senator Vince Fumo Suffers Heart Attack

[Penndems]

From the Harrisburg Patriot-News:

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo was rushed to a hospital and underwent an emergency procedure after a heart attack Sunday night.
Fumo, 64, was having dinner at home, where he has been since having back surgery last month, when he had chest pains and shortness of breath shortly before 7 p.m., spokesman Gary Tuma said.

The senator was taken by ambulance to Hahnemann University Hospital, where doctors said he had a myocardial infarction and a blocked right coronary artery. Doctors did an emergency angioplasty and inserted a metal stent to restore normal blood flow, Tuma said.


"He is now chest-pain-free, his EKG is looking much better, and his vital signs are stable," Dr. Daniel McCormick told reporters.

"I've seen him; he's doing OK at this moment," said his son, Vincent Fumo II. "We all got to speak to him; the family's doing fine, and we're happy that he's doing well."

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Link:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/03/sen_fumo_suffers_heart_attack.html

[JPZenger]

1. Critical condition

A report later this morning said he was in critical condition.

[Divernan]

2. Heart attacks are a possible side effect of general anesthesia, more so as you get older.

Although the risks of serious complications from general anesthesia are very low, they can include heart attack, stroke, brain damage, and death. Anyone scheduled to undergo general anesthesia should thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks with a physician. The risks of complications depend, in part, on a patient's age, sex, weight, allergies, general health, and history of smoking, drinking alcohol, or drug use. Some of these risks can be minimized by ensuring that the physician and anesthesiologist are fully informed of the detailed health condition of the patient, including any drugs that he or she may be using. Older people are especially sensitive to the effects of certain anesthetics and may be more likely to experience side effects from these drugs.