George H.W. Bush, 90, was taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital Tuesday in an ambulance as a precaution after the former president began to experience shortness of breath, his staff said in a statement.
“President Bush was taken by ambulance to the Houston Methodist Hospital as a precaution after experiencing a shortness of breath earlier this evening,” the statement said. “The former president, age 90, will be held for observation, again as a precaution.”
Bush is the oldest living former president and vice president. He is also the last living former president who is a veteran of World War II.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said President Obama had been made aware of the situation.
“President Obama and the first lady send their good wishes to the former president and the entire Bush family during this holiday season,” Schultz said.
Bush spent nearly two months in the same hospital and was discharged in January 2013 after treatment for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues.
Bush, who can no longer use his legs, most recently appeared seated in a wheelchair at an event in November at Texas A&M University with his son, former president George W. Bush.
In June, the elder Bush celebrated his 90th birthday by making a tandem parachute jump near his summer home in Maine.
