Sanders puts his campaign on hold after heart surgery

Bernie Sanders’ campaign said yesterday that the Democratic US presidential candidate had a heart procedure for a blocked artery and was cancelling events and appearances “until further notice.”

The 78-year-old Mr Sanders experienced chest discomfort during an event on Tuesday and sought medical evaluation, according to a campaign statement. It said two stents were “successfully inserted” and that Mr Sanders “is conversing and in good spirits.”

His campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, called supporters on Tuesday night but didn’t mention any health concerns about the candidate. Mr Shakir said the “state of the campaign is strong” and he played up Mr Sanders’ strong fundraising total for the third quarter.

Mr Sanders had been among 1ten Democratic candidates scheduled to appear yesterday at a forum on gun control in Las Vegas. He recently cancelled some appearances in South Carolina because he lost his voice. The campaign said at the time he felt fine.

The Democratic field’s oldest candidate, Mr Sanders sometimes jokingly refers to his age at events, especially when interacting with younger participants.

His aides have tried to project him as a candidate with energy levels that surpassed his 2016 presidential campaign.

He is one of three candidates over the age of 70 in the Democratic primary, which has spurred debate over whether the party should rally behind a new generation of political leaders. His health scare is certain to revive that discussion in the weeks before the next presidential debate this month.

Mr Sanders’ 2016 campaign nearly overtook Hillary Clinton for the party’s nomination. He is a top contender in the 2020 primary, and announced on Tuesday that he raised more than $25 million (£20.3m) over the past three months. But he is facing stiff competition from former vicepresident Joe Biden and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who have overtaken him in many polls.

Mrsanders is not the first candidate to face health issues in recent years while seeking the presidency. Mrs Clinton had to take time off from campaigning in 2016 after being treated for pneumonia.

When doctors insert a stent, they first thread a tiny balloon inside a blocked artery to widen it. The stent is a small wire mesh tube that then is propped inside to keep the artery open. The number of stents needed depends on the size of the clog.

The treatment can immediately improve symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath.

A letter released by Mr Sanders’ physician in 2016 cited a history of mildly elevated cholesterol but no heart disease.