GOP Sen. Limmer recovering from heart attack
Sen. Warren Limmer, R- Maple Grove, disclosed Wednesday that he had two stents put in after what he called on "minor" heart attack on Monday.
Limmer, 62, said he would be back at the Capitol for votes on Wednesday night. He went in for treatment Monday after feeling chest pains, and was released from the hospital on Tuesday.
He is the longest-serving Republican in a state Senate that his party controls by a single seat.
Limmer said his doctor advised him to change his diet and get more exercise, two things that can be difficult as the Legislature grinds through long days in committees and floor sessions.
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"We're at that point where we're really saddled to a desk most of the day. And as a result we probably don't eat right, we don't exercise as well, and we have long hours," Limmer said. "At least for me I'm going to have to pace myself a little bit. But we're almost done with the committee phase. The rest of the session becomes a little easier to deal with. I feel fine and am ready to go, but we'll be a little cautious and just pace ourselves a little bit better."
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, was informed of Limmer's condition but wouldn't say much about his colleague's condition in deference to him.
"He is doing well, he will be here tonight," Gazelka said around noon. The Senate was in recess until an evening vote on a health insurance bill.
Before session began, it was Limmer who was advising his colleagues to watch their health and set aside their vices.
"I've already talked to our members and saying if you have a bad cough, if you have a heart condition, if you have a habit of drinking and driving, check it at the door because we have to be better than that with only a one-vote margin," he said in December.
On Wednesday, he chuckled about following his own advice.
"Who would have thought it would have been me," Limmer said.