Toews treated for irregular heartbeat, released from hospital
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/04/2012 (4910 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA — Manitoba’s senior cabinet minister, Vic Toews, was released from hospital in Ottawa Tuesday after undergoing treatment for a relatively common heart condition.
In a written statement, a spokesman for Toews said the minister was treated for atrial fibrillation.
It is the most common irregular heartbeat. The condition involves an irregularity in the electrical signal that triggers the heart to pump blood through the body.
Symptoms can including dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and most often, heart palpitations. It is treated either with medication or by shocking the heart back to its normal rhythm.
The statement said Toews’ treatment was non-surgical.
Toews, 59, was rushed to the Ottawa Civic Hospital by ambulance Monday morning when he felt ill while he was on Parliament Hill. He was said to be experiencing flu-like symptoms.
In the statement released Tuesday, Toews thanked the medical staff for “top-notch care.”
“I would also like to thank the many people who have sent well wishes. These simple reminders of support and encouragement — particularly across party lines — go a long way when dealing with a medical situation. I am fortunate to be surrounded by the highest quality of parliamentary colleagues, family and friends.”
Toews is not the first high-profile politician to experience atrial fibrillation. In 1991, former U.S. president George H.W. Bush was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and treated with medication. In 2003, former British prime minister Tony Blair was rushed to the hospital complaining of chest pains and heart palpitations. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
About 350,000 Canadians are treated for atrial fibrillation each year.
It has numerous causes, including stress.
Toews’ spokesman Mike Patton said Monday the minister had been feeling sick for a few weeks. He cancelled an event in Winnipeg in mid-March due to illness.
He attended last week’s federal budget and participated in two post-budget announcements in Winnipeg on Friday.
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca