Sen. Bernie Sanders had heart attack; chest pains diagnosed as myocardial infarction

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves as he walks towards the stage during a campaign event at Plymouth State University on September 29, 2019 in Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves as he walks towards the stage during a campaign event at Plymouth State University on September 29, 2019 in Plymouth, New Hampshire.

As 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders left a Las Vegas hospital Friday, his doctors released a statement confirming Sanders had a heart attack earlier in the week, according to news reports.

Sanders, 78, who had two stents inserted in a blocked artery this week, thanked the staff at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center on Friday in a social media post for the "excellent care" he received.

“After two and a half days in the hospital, I feel great, and after taking a short time off, I look forward to getting back to work,” Sanders wrote.

His doctors diagnosed him with a myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, after he was hospitalized Tuesday with chest pains, The New York Times reported, citing the statement from his doctors.

After his heart attack, Sanders canceled his events this week, but his campaign said he had plans to attend the next Democratic debate on Oct. 15 in Ohio.

About the Author