Fumo released from hospital

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo was released from Hahnemann University Hospital yesterday, a week after suffering a heart attack.

"They tell me I have minimal damage," Fumo (D., Phila.) said during a news conference in a lobby of the hospital, accompanied by children Allison and Vincent and two of his doctors.

An ambulance rushed Fumo, 64, from his Spring Garden home to the hospital on March 2 after he suffered chest pain. His right artery was 100 percent blocked. A coronary angioplasty was performed to remove the blockage, and a metal stent inserted to restore normal blood flow.

The senator praised the medical treatment he received and the Fire Department rescuers who responded to his home. He acknowledged he had been reluctant to seek help.

"Tell people don't do like I almost did," Fumo said. "Call 911."

Fumo, like most people who have suffered a coronary episode, said his doctor advised him to make lifestyle changes, including convalescing for the next few weeks.

"We cut a deal for two weeks, and we are going to try to honor that," Fumo said. Still, he noted he would have a video crew tape him today for a community meeting he will not be able to attend. Yesterday, he said, he headed for his girlfriend's home.

Fumo hopes to be back in Harrisburg in three weeks. He said he had a budget briefing last week and got his BlackBerry back Wednesday. But, he said, he was going to try to avoid stress and salt - "That's probably going to cause me more stress" - and start taking walks. His left artery is 50 percent blocked, but surgery is not planned.

Fumo has had two back operations within the last four months. The most recent was late last month, when he underwent lumbar fusion surgery to correct a misalignment of vertebrae.

He has been hospitalized for angina, chest pain caused by a lack of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Fumo is in a four-way primary race for reelection to his First Senate District seat. He also faces trial this year on federal charges that he misused Senate staff and two charities for personal and political gain.