OLAJUWON WILL RETURN WITHOUT SKIPPING BEAT. - Free Online Library
Hakeem Olajuwon, saying he's in good health and has a ``very good heart,'' left the hospital Monday after a visit from former President George Bush and plans to start working out in hopes of rejoining the Houston Rockets.
For the second time in less than two weeks, the star center was treated for an irregular heartbeat. The problem is not considered career-threatening, but his return to play was not immediately set.
When asked when he would be in the lineup again, Olajuwon said, ``Hopefully, as soon as possible.''
Olajuwon remained in Houston while his teammates played in Toronto on Monday night. The Rockets said Olajuwon is to begin workouts Tuesday.
Olajuwon spent the night in Methodist Hospital. He spoke before climbing into his white Mercedes and driving himself home.
``It wasn't painful,'' he said of his hospital stay. ``I'm in good health. I have a very good heart. There's no really major concern. It's just something I need to learn to live with.''
Olajuwon, 33, was given aspirin and the drug lanoxin">lanoxin La·nox·in (l
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s to deal with the heartbeat irregularity. The problem resurfaced Saturday night in Washington, where he scored 34 points, as Houston beat the Bullets.
Before departing, however, Olajuwon received a visit from the former president. Bush, who lives in Houston, has a similar medical problem.
``The big guy was laying there looking pretty good to me,'' Bush said.
Two weeks ago doctors used the electrical shock to correct Olajuwon's arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, after he left the Nov. 19 game against Minnesota at halftime.