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Dick Cheney Given Very Positive Bill of Health

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LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Cardiologists say that Cheney did exactly the right thing by going straight to the doctor as soon as he realized he was having some chest pains. It may have made a difference in the severity, rather, of his heart attack.

Joining us now with an update on Cheney's condition is CNN medical news correspondent Eileen O'Connor; she's in Washington.

Eileen, good morning.

EILEEN O'CONNOR, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

Yes, in fact, actually that Thanksgiving dinner apparently is going to be cooked, perhaps, by Colin Powell and Alma Powell. They offered to cook the dinner. But you're right, I think it probably will be the low-fat version, and doctors would say, easy on the gravy.

But they did also say that Secretary Cheney has obviously been taking good care of himself through proper diet and exercise; that the rest of his heart looks very good. That they were actually surprised by the tests, except for this one artery that they found that was almost 90 percent closed, which they reopened through a procedure they did yesterday.

They say right now that he had an uneventful night. He will be meeting with his doctors today and they will be giving us a written update on his condition; but they say things are going well and he should be released from the hospital by Friday or Saturday -- Leon.

HARRIS: Give you any word, as well, about his recuperation and how soon he can get back to work?

O'CONNOR: Well, they said -- as you saw, he was already on the phone with Larry King last night -- and they said he can be on the phone, working on a possible presidential transition. Now, doctors do say that he will have to be watched for about six weeks, he'll have to be a little careful. But they really feel there's no limitations; they'll be monitoring him for at least six months. He might have some new kinds of medications, just to prevent any further disease. There are a lot of new heart medications out there.

So -- but they basically say that he will be able to get back to, in fact, according to one of the doctors, whatever job he has in the next few months -- Leon. HARRIS: OK, good deal; nice way to put it, too. Eileen O'Connor, reporting live from Washington, thanks much, happy holiday to you.

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