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Bloomberg Acknowledges Heart Surgery

CBS News

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg frequently talks about health — but never publicly revealed that he had heart surgery before running for mayor, a fact that emerged this week amid increased attention about his possible presidential aspirations.

The billionaire media mogul, who furthered speculation about his presidential ambitions last week when he declared himself an independent, did not disclose the surgery in 2000; he had two coronary arterial stents inserted to relieve a blockage in his heart. The operation was first reported by Newsweek this week and confirmed Thursday by Bloomberg's spokesman, Stu Loeser.

Bloomberg, 65, is now said to be in excellent shape. He has long been interested in public health, pushing for citywide bans on trans fats and smoking and donating millions of dollars to medical research and health causes. Before his election in 2001, Bloomberg was chairman of the board at Johns Hopkins University, his alma mater, where the school of public health bears his name.

Posted by Editor at July 2, 2007 01:46 AM

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