Iloilo governor undergoes angioplasty

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor underwent an angioplasty, after he was brought to a hospital for a checkup after last Monday's flag ceremony.

Defensor was brought to the hospital after his staff thought he did not look well, GMA Iloilo's Charlene Belvis reported Tuesday.

Provincial administrator Raul Banias said that during Monday's checkup, doctors decided to have the governor undergo an angioplasty to address a blocked coronary artery.

He also said the governor may undergo an executive checkup soon.

Angioplasty is a procedure to restore blood flow through the artery, the US National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus said.

The process is done to reduce chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, or to minimize damage to heart muscle from a heart attack.

On Tuesday, Iloilo officials allayed concerns about the health of the governor, saying he was in good condition following the angioplasty.

Banias said Defensor's health was never in jeopardy.

A separate report on Iloilo-based news site The Daily Guardian quoted Banias as saying the governor was in the Intensive Care Unit and is alert, with normal vital signs, and on full diet.

He was quoted in the Daily Guardian report as saying the governor could be discharged in as little as five days. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News