California: governor Schwarzenegger back at work after experiencing rapid heartbeat

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sought medical attention for a rapid heartbeat, but was back to work Wednesday after being cleared by doctors who concluded his heart was functioning normally, his office said.

Spokeswoman Julie Soderland said the governor experienced the rapid heartbeat Tuesday after coming down with a stomach flu. He was taken to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center about midnight after his personal doctor recommended he have the symptoms checked.

He spent several hours in the hospital and was released after doctors determined his heart rate was normal. "He's feeling fine and working," Soderlund said in the statement.

The governor's aides declined to comment further. Susan Marschwab, a spokeswoman for UC Davis Medical Center, referred inquiries to the governor's press office.

Schwarzenegger had heart surgery in 1997 to repair a hereditary valve problem. An occasional rapid heartbeat is common after that sort of operation, the administration said in its statement.

Schwarzenegger was expected to continue a normal schedule Wednesday, including an afternoon unveiling of the official portrait of former Gov. Gray Davis in the Capitol, reported AP. P.T.