WASHINGTON--U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders was treated for a blocked artery after experiencing chest discomfort and has canceled campaign events until further notice, an adviser said on Wednesday.
Sanders, 78, was in Las Vegas to campaign when he was taken to a hospital on Tuesday night for evaluation. "He was found to have a blockage in one artery, and two stents were successfully inserted," Sanders senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement.
"Sen. Sanders is conversing and in good spirits. He will be resting up over the next few days. We are canceling his events and appearances until further notice, and we will continue to provide appropriate updates," Weaver said.
Sanders, the oldest of 19 contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, had visited a community healing garden in Las Vegas on Tuesday night and had been scheduled to hold a town hall and appear at a gun safety forum on Wednesday.
Aides did not offer any guidance on how long Sanders might be off the campaign trail. The first nominating contest is not until Feb. 3 in Iowa, but Sanders is one of 12 candidates scheduled to participate in the fourth Democratic debate in Ohio on Oct. 15.
Sanders thanked supporters for offering their well wishes and said on Twitter that he was "feeling good." He then shifted to a plug for his signature Medicare for All healthcare insurance plan. "I'm fortunate to have good health care and great doctors and nurses helping me to recover," Sanders said. "None of us know when a medical emergency might affect us. And no one should fear going bankrupt if it occurs. Medicare for All!"
