Betty Ford Has Artery Surgery
Former First Lady Betty Ford was in stable condition after undergoing elective surgery Friday to unblock arteries on both sides of her neck, officials said.
The two-hour surgery at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage was needed to remove fatty deposits from Ford’s carotid arteries, hospital spokesman Mike McFadden said.
He said continued blockage of the arteries, which lead to the brain, could have brought on a stroke.
McFadden said Mrs. Ford, 69, is expected to remain hospitalized for at least two days. He said her surgery was routine and that no complications developed.
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