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Vice president cancels Illinois trip over heart trouble

BY KURT ERICKSON, The Southern Springfield Bureau

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:34 AM CDT

SPRINGFIELD -- Vice President Dick Cheney is experiencing an abnormal rhythm of his heart and is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure Wednesday afternoon.

The recurrence of heart trouble was disclosed Wednesday morning after the vice president canceled a fundraising visit to Illinois for Republican congressional candidate Martin Ozinga.

The vice president’s office issued a statement at 9:43 a.m. Wednesday.

"During a visit with his doctors this morning, it was discovered that the vice president is experiencing a recurrence of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart," the statement noted.

"Later this afternoon, the vice president will visit George Washington University Hospital for an outpatient procedure to restore his normal rhythm," the statement concluded.

Last year, Cheney, 67, underwent a procedure to deal with an irregular heartbeat and has had quadruple bypass surgery in the past. Cheney suffered his first heart attack in 1978, the first of four he’s had in his lifetime.

Cheney had been scheduled to fly into Chicago Wednesday morning for a $500 per person luncheon on behalf of Ozinga, who is battling for the 11th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller of Morris.

"This morning, the Ozinga campaign was notified that the Vice President will not be able to attend today’s scheduled reception at Marty Ozinga’s home," said a statement by Ozinga campaign manager Andy Sere.

Ozinga, a Republican from Homer Glen, faces Democrat Debbie Halvorson of Crete and Green Party candidate Jason Wallace of Normal.

Republicans and Democrats are pumping large amounts of cash into the race in an attempt to win the open seat contest.

The 11th district stretches from Chicago’s south suburbs to Bloomington-Normal.