Former President Bill Clinton hospitalized

Former President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized Thursday, Feb. 11 in New York City, ABC News is reporting.

Clinton was transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan for a problem related to his heart. George Stephanopoulos, chief political correspondent for ABC News, reports that sources said Clinton was likely taken to the hospital "for a stent procedure."

A stent procedure involves inserting a tube into a natural passage/conduit in the body to prevent or counteract flow constriction. The most common use of a stent is in coronary arteries.

Douglas Band, a counselor to Clinton, released a statement. "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."

Band continued, "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."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "left the White House after her meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office, and is now headed to New York City. If we have anything to add beyond that, we will, including any changes to her schedule in the coming days," the State Department said in a statement. Daughter Chelsea Clinton is at the hospital with her father in New York, according to CNN.

It is not the first time the former president has undergone heart surgery. Clinton had a quadruple bypass in 2004. In 2005, doctors removed scar tissue and fluid that had built up as a result of the first procedure.

Both Former President Bushes offered their prayers to Clinton and wished him a speedy recovery, says ABC News.

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