Barbara Bush recovering from heart surgery

Source: Agencies  |   2009-3-5  |     ONLINE EDITION

BARBARA Bush, mother of former President George W. Bush, was recovering yesterday from heart surgery in a Houston hospital where her aortic valve was replaced, a spokeswoman said.

The surgery was performed at Methodist Hospital's DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, according to a statement released by the hospital.

The procedure was scheduled last week after Bush, 83, the wife of former President George H.W. Bush, experienced shortness of breath and doctors detected a hardened valve in her heart, the hospital said.

She also underwent surgery in December for a perforated ulcer.

The hospital said she was "awake and alert as she recovers" in the intensive care unit. Her surgeon, Gerald Lawrie, added: "I expect her to recover fully and soon resume her normal activities." She is expected to remain hospitalized for up to 10 days.

If left untreated, a hardened aortic valve can result in heart failure or sudden cardiac death, according to the hospital. Symptoms of aortic valve disease include shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness.