Blair treated in hospital for irregular heart beat

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blairreceived electro-cardiac treatment at a London hospital todayafter being admitted with heart…

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blairreceived electro-cardiac treatment at a London hospital todayafter being admitted with heart palpitations, and waslater released "well and in good spirits", his office said.

Doctors told Mr Blair (50) to ease off for a day and a DowningStreet spokesman said it was only a minor scare without seriousrepercussions.

Mr Blair spent five hours in hospital for the treatment."The hospital say this is a relatively common condition andis easily treated," the Downing Street statement said. "He hassuffered no damage and is fine."

Mr Blair keeps himself fit with a near-daily treadmill workout,but has had a gruelling year dealing with the Iraq war followedby a damaging inquiry into the suicide of a weapons expert whichhas eroded the government's popularity.

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"He was feeling under the weather earlier today and is nowback in Downing Street," the spokesman said. "He is well and ingood spirits."

The statement said doctors at Hammersmith hospital regulatedMr Blair's heart beat via electric shock in a procedure known as"cardio-version".

"This was completely successful, he was in hospital for fourto five hours and he is now back in Number 10 (Downing Street),"the spokesman said. "There is no reason why this should reoccur.They have advised him to rest for 24 hours."