Sunday, August 21, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Reid plans return when Congress reconvenes

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who suffered a ministroke last week, expects to be back in Washington, D.C., when Congress reconvenes Sept. 6, his spokeswoman said Saturday.

"He'll definitely be up to his regular schedule by then," said Tessa Hafen, the Senate Democratic leader's spokeswoman. "The doctors have said there doesn't have to be any restriction in his activity."

Reid canceled all scheduled appearances this weekend and was relaxing with relatives in Las Vegas on Saturday. Hafen said she didn't know when Reid's next public appearance would be.

Reid's staff announced in a written statement on Friday that the 65-year-old had experienced on Tuesday a transient ischemic attack, a ministroke that often signals a serious stroke could occur later.

Reid revealed that he had seen a doctor after feeling lightheaded Tuesday evening at his home in Searchlight. Hafen said Reid experienced no speech difficulties or physical symptoms associated with strokes.

"He's doing great," Hafen said. "He's upbeat. He's got his family around him. He's just taking it easy."

After the announcement, Reid received several expressions of support.

"The president is glad to hear that Senator Reid is feeling fine and looks forward to working with him this fall," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said.

According to the American Family Physicians Web site, a transient ischemic attack is considered a "critical harbinger of impending stroke."

"Failure to quickly recognize and evaluate this warning sign could mean missing an opportunity to prevent permanent disability or death," the Web site states. "The 90-day risk of stroke after a transient ischemic attack has been estimated to be approximately 10 percent, with one half of strokes occurring within the first two days of the attack."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.