Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized on Tuesday in California, but is ‘on the mend’
Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized in California on Tuesday, his spokesperson announced on Thursday night.
CNN reported that he’s being treated in the Intensive Care Unit for a possible blood infection known as sepsis.
A spokesman for the Democrat commander-in-chief said he was admitted to University of California Irvine’s medical center to get treatment for a non-COVID issue.
‘On Tuesday evening, President Clinton was admitted to UCI Medical Center to receive treatment for a non-COVID-related infection,’ said his spokesperson, Angel Ureña, in a statement.
‘He is on the mend, thankful to the doctors, nurses and staff providing him with excellent care.’
CNN has reported that Clinton is in the ICU for privacy reasons rather than the state of his condition.
One of Clinton’s most recent appearances was a videolink greeting to the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS, held on September 17 in West Hollywood
Bill and Hillary Clinton are pictured on September 11 at the ceremony in New York City commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
The Clintons attended the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York with the Obamas, Bidens, Michael Bloomberg and Nancy Pelosi
Hillary Clinton, pictured on October 11 leaving the set of Good Morning America in New York, is currently in California with her husband
Clinton, who has a new book out, State of Terror, is pictured on October 11 speaking to Seth Meyers with co-author Louise Penny
Clinton is pictured on August 21 at the East Hampton Artists & Writers annual softball game, in New York. The Clintons have summered in the Hamptons for several years
The former president was in high spirits at the softball game in the exclusive coastal town
Clinton’s physicians, Dr. Alpesh Amin and Dr. Lisa Bardack, released a joint statement that says he was admitted with an ‘infection’ but has improved since receiving treatment.
‘President Clinton was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center and diagnosed with an infection. He was admitted to the hospital for close monitoring and administered IV antibiotics and fluids,’ Amin and Bardack said.
‘He remains at the hospital for continuous monitoring. After two days of treatment, his white blood cell count is trending down and he is responding to antibiotics well.’
Clinton was admitted to University of California Irvine Medical Center (pictured) on Tuesday
Hillary Clinton was also in California for the event but it’s unknown if she is currently at the hospital with her husband
They concluded, ‘The California-based medical team has been in constant communication with the President’s New York-based medical team, including his cardiologist. We hope to have him go home soon.’
The former president’s cardiac problems have been well-documented. He became a vegan in 2010 to improve his health and credited the meat- and dairy-free died with changing – and potentially saving – his life.
Doctors have ruled out heart issues, according to CNN, despite Clinton’s history – including an operation in 2004 and a stent placement in 2010.
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo announced the breaking news at the top of his show.
The 75-year-old former world leader was feeling unwell and fatigued on Tuesday when he was in California for an event related to the Clinton Foundation, CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta said after speaking with Clinton’s doctors and staff.
‘What they think is going on with the former president now is a blood infection. Sometimes known as sepsis,’ Gupta said on Thursday evening.
Quadruple heart bypass and stents: Bill Clinton’s health history
1992
On the presidential campaign trail, Clinton’s doctors said he was in excellent health, but noted that he had allergies, mild hearing loss – which he attributed to loud music and hunting – chronic laryngitis and, at 226lbs, needed to lose weight.
His mother’s side of the family had a history of heart problems, but he showed no signs of concern.
Bill Clinton is seen with his wife Hillary in July 1992, on the presidential campaign trail
1993-2001
Clinton, as president, was known for his love of burgers and junk food. Yet he was also seen regularly jogging, and his weight and cholesterol fluctuated.
He said in 1996 his main issues were allergies, hoarseness and his weight – although he was down to 216lbs in his medical that year.
He was fitted with a hearing aid in 1997, and was told during his presidency to start taking prescription medicines to lower his cholesterol.
JANUARY 21, 2001
Clinton leaves the White House, aged 54. He said he believed he was ‘in the shape of my life,’ but began experiencing shortness of breath not long after, which he admitted he ignored for too long.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2004
Clinton undergoes a quadruple heart bypass, at the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center of Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Doctors said he had nearly 100 per cent blockage in some of his arteries when he underwent surgery and had narrowly avoided having a major heart attack.
FEBRUARY 12, 2010
Clinton, aged 63, suffers discomfort in his chest and is taken to hospital in New York – the same where he had his quadruple bypass. He has a stent inserted into his artery; a fairly common procedure.
He becomes almost-entirely vegan, in a bid to improve his diet, with weekly salmon his only animal product. His daughter Chelsea marries in July, having told her father to lose 15lbs, and Clinton looks noticeably svelte.
OCTOBER 12, 2021
Clinton is admitted to hospital in Irvine, California, for treatment for sepsis.
He is given antibiotics.
Clinton could be released from the hospital as early as Friday and remain on a regiment of oral antibiotics for however long is necessary.
He reportedly developed a urinary tract infection that became a condition known as urosepsis.
Gupta said he was told the charismatic former governor of Arkansas was joking around with hospital staff as of Thursday.
He added that Clinton is ‘mobile’ and can get himself up and around.
Former first lady and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was with her husband in Southern California for their event. It’s unclear if she’s at the hospital with him now.
Sepsis is a blood condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection. It’s treatable when caught early but could be life-threatening if not.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison wished Clinton well on Twitter.
‘Praying for a speedy recovery for President @BillClinton,’ Harrison wrote on Twitter.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.
Clinton’s name has been back in the headlines with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky’s thanks to FX’s American Crime Story: Impeachment.
The drama series chronicles their affair and boasts Lewinsky as a producer.