Dick Cheney..Heart Transplant today

[QueenBee]

CNN is listing as breaking news that former VP Dick Cheney is recovering from a heart transplant he received today. No other news yet. I knew he had heart issues, did not realize it was this bad.

[Adub]

Jesus Christ, I didn't even know that he had a heart.

[QueenBee]

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was recovering Saturday evening after undergoing heart transplant surgery, his office said.

Cheney, 71, was recovering at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.

He has been on the cardiac transplant list for more than 20 months, a statement from his office said.

"Although the former vice president and his family do not know the identity of the donor, they will be forever grateful for this lifesaving gift," it said.

Cheney has a history of heart trouble. He's had at least five heart attacks since 1978.

In June 2010, he was hospitalized at George Washington University for conditions related to his coronary artery disease. He had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted to help his heart pump.

The former Wyoming congressman served as vice president with President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.

In January, Showtime announced that it was producing a documentary about Cheney, tentatively titled "The World According to Dick Cheney."

[Duchess]

Jesus Christ, I didn't even know that he had a heart.

[Gogo]

Wonder if he purchased the replacement heart from the Chinese prison system.

[ramseycat]

They should have given the transplant to a younger person. Someone more deserving. Shit, he is old and gonna die soon anyway.

[Duchess]

Transplant patients go through rigorous testing before a transplant takes place, not only physically but mentally. Except for his heart issues it must have been determined that he could live a productive life with a new heart & he had no signs of upcoming dementia.

[Cynical Ninja]

He has been on the cardiac transplant list for more than 20 months, a statement from his office said.

Medical waiting lists?, how incredibly socialist.

[Duchess]

People die waiting for transplants here, OP. It's complicated and not as cold hearted as it sounds.

[Cynical Ninja]

So you don't get to jump the queue if you have better health insurance?

I agree with that.

[Duchess]

There is a lot of criteria involved and it's strictly adhered to, I'm certain that those who have the final word do so without looking at someones tax bracket.