Takasugi Improves, but Still Hospitalized

Assemblyman Nao Takasugi’s condition continued to improve Tuesday, a day after he suffered a heart attack during morning exercises a block from his Sacramento home.

Takasugi (R-Oxnard), who represents the area from Thousand Oaks to Oxnard in the Assembly, remained in good and stable condition at Sacramento’s Sutter Memorial Hospital. The 76-year-old former Oxnard mayor was talking to family and friends--and was even directing his aides to cancel his upcoming engagements, said Julia King, his chief of staff.

“He’s doing even better than he was this morning,” King said on her way to visit Takasugi in the hospital. “We’re all very happy to hear he’s continuing to progress.

“He’s already thinking about work again.”

Known for his exceptional fitness, Takasugi apparently fainted during one of his customary brisk morning walks after suffering a blockage of one of his arteries. A passerby noticed a fallen man in a running suit and called an ambulance, but authorities were initially unable to determine his identity because Takasugi was not carrying identification.

Takasugi’s wife Judy and his five children traveled to be with him Monday, and stayed Tuesday. King, who was handling all media inquiries, said doctors did not know how long Takasugi would remain in the hospital, saying that Takasugi was scheduled to undergo a series of tests in coming days.

Meanwhile, Takasugi’s Sacramento office has been flooded with calls, letters and gifts from his colleagues in Sacramento and friends and supporters in Ventura County.

“I think everyone who’s ever met Nao has called at this point,” King said.