FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 24 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was recovering Saturday after heart transplant surgery, his office announced.
The statement released by Cheney's office said the 71-year-old former vice president was hospitalized in intensive care at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., CBS News reported.
"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," the statement said.
Cheney, who has a long history of heart disease and was fitted with a ventricular assist device in July 2010, was on the transplant list for 20 months, the statement said.
Cheney was vice president for eight years during President George W. Bush's tenure. He also represented Wyoming in Congress, was defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush and was chief of staff for President Gerald Ford. In the private sector, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Haliburton Co. from 1995 to 2000.
