French President Nicolas Sarkozy was "doing well" in hospital after collapsing during a weekend jog, his chief of staff said, as the ailing leader was urged to cut back on his gruelling schedule.
Sarkozy, 54, collapsed on Sunday while running at his weekend retreat near the Versailles palace west of Paris. He was taken to a military hospital in the capital by helicopter after the incident.
A presidential aide said the French leader – who assumed office in May 2007 - was suffering from a "minor" problem related to his vagus nerve, which helps the body regulate the heart rate.
Sarkozy is "doing well," his chief of staff Claude Gueant told AFP.
The French leader is scheduled to leave the Val de Grace hospital later today.
"He's fine. He's hungry. He's complaining. Everything is going well," lawmaker and Sarkozy ally Patrick Balkany told RTL radio after talking to Gueant and first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 26th of July 2009 11:11:25 PM
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010
Gordon Brown has passed on his wishes to Nicolas Sarkozy, who is in hospital after falling ill while jogging.
Mr Sarkozy was jogging when he became ill
The 54-year-old did not lose consciousness, but had to lie down after the incident in the park of the Versailles Palace. He is being monitored in hospital today.
The Prime Minister sent Mr Sarkozy a message expressing his support and wishing him a speedy recovery.
The Prime Minister and Mr Sarkozy, who is known for his hyperactivity, last met at the Anglo-French summit on July 6. They speak regularly.
The French premier was taken by helicopter to the Val-de-Grace military hospital in Paris.
His palace office denied he fainted during the run outside the capital, but confirmed he was taken to the hospital after he felt unwell.
Doctors have carried out neurological tests which were normal, and "routine" cardiological examinations are being done.
Mr Sarkozy is staying in hospital overnight to undergo those tests.
"This episode, which occured after 45 minutes of intense physical exercise, was not accompanied by a loss of consciousness, " the Elysee statement said.
Earlier, health minister Roselyne Bachelot said he had fainted and had suffered a vasovagal episode which she described as "small".
A vagal episode can be caused by strenuous exercise when it is very hot.
It can lead to a temporary loss of consciousness but usually is not serious.
It gets its name from the vagus nerve which slows down the heartbeat and reduces arterial tension.
Mr Sarkozy's office published the results of a regular health check at the beginning of July which said he had had blood and cariovascular tests which were normal.
However, the president was briefly hospitalised in October 2007 for treatment for angina."
-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 26th of July 2009 11:12:32 PM
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010