Former Vice President Mike Pence underwent surgery on Wednesday to have a pacemaker implanted, his office said Thursday. “The routine surgery was successful and is expected to make a full recovery and return to normal activity in the coming days,” Pence said.
Pence’s office said he communicated to the Trump team in 2016 that he was diagnosed with asymptomatic left bundle branch block and had symptoms such as a slow heart rate for the past two weeks.
Pence, 61, underwent the procedure at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, Virginia. In a statement, he said he was “grateful for the prompt professionalism and care of the excellent doctors, nurses and staff” at the medical center and its doctors in Indiana.
Since he left office on January 21, Pence has flew back to Indiana with his wife Karen, although they also have a home in Northern Virginia. Pence opened a transition office there in February.
Pence has also formed a new advocacy group and is working on an autobiography, which is expected to be released in 2023. According to The Associated Press, he is expected to deliver his first public address since leaving his office in South Carolina next month.
Fin Gomez contributed to reporting.