Former President Bush Leaves Hospital
Former President George Bush says he feels good after spending the night in a Florida hospital for an irregular heartbeat, and plans to go on a scheduled trip to Asia next week.
He told reporters outside the hospital in Naples, Florida, he has never been happier since retiring, and added, "Maybe the reason I got tired or ended up here is I get nervous about politics when it's somebody else -- you know, when it's your son not yourself that they're after."
Bush says he is likely undergoing medical tests in Houston on Friday afternoon, and will be accompanied by a medical professional during the Asia trip as a precaution.
"I'm 75 but I feel 35," Bush said, promising to parachute out of a plane on his 80th birthday in 2004. He made headlines after his retirement with two parachute jumps, the most recent in June 1999, a few days shy of his 75th birthday. "I'm going to do it to show old guys can still do stuff."
His doctor tells CBS News Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson that the problem is related to aging and quite common for people his age.
"We don't detect that there's any serious problem currently, said Dr. Frank Muslack. "The rhythm is under control. It's still abnormal, and after a period of anti-coagulation, we'll make efforts to restore his regular rhythm.
A spokesman said Bush spent the night in the Naples, Florida hospital after falling ill at a business reception.
George Herbert Walker Bush, 75, had been on his feet for about 90 minutes during an investors conference at the Registry Resort, spokesman Jim McGrath said.
Aides sat him down and he said he felt better, McGrath said. Bush was driven to the airport for a return flight to his Houston home, but still felt ill. His doctor, contacted by phone, suggested Bush be taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The career politician, diplomat and 41st president of the United States has been active since leaving the White House and takes medication for heart problems.
He suffered a similar episode in 1991 and spent two days in the hospital.
He was found to have Graves disease - the most common form of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland.
Muslack said this most recent incident is not more serious than the earlier incident.
He said: "It's unlikely this is related to his thyroid gland. It's more a problem of aging, an aging heart. It's quite common in his age group. He's tolerating it very well."
McGrath said Bush walked into the Naples Community Hospital on his own. Bush, a vigorous septuagenarian who has skydived, is expected to be flown by jet to Methodist Hospital in Houston Friday afternoon, where his therapy will be completed.
"That will involve restoring a regular rhythm," said Muslack.
His wife, Barbara, also has Graves disease.
In his youth, Bush also sat out one year of school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, with a serious respiratory illness.
A les serious ailment - food poisoning - contributed to one of Bush's most well known incidents. He collapsed and vomited on Japan's prime minister during a 1992 state dinner in Tokyo, but recovered quickly.
After leaving office, Bush largely stayed out of the spotlight, with the exception of jumping out of planes. Bush said he had promised himself a jump for fun after a parachute jump during World War II.