Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith underwent open-heart surgery to repair a defective valve that caused a heart attack in late October, the Marine Corps announced Monday.
A statement from the Marine Corps said Smith underwent successful surgery at an unnamed hospital to “repair the bicuspid aortic valve in his heart that caused his cardiac arrest on October 29.”
“He is in good condition and continues to recover in the hospital with his family and doctors. Following his rehabilitation, General Smith will return to full duty as commander,” the statement added.
Smith suffered a heart attack while running in October. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered he had a bicuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve is a congenital abnormality in the heart that can cause heart problems later in life.
Gen. Christopher Mahoney, deputy commander of the Marine Corps, stepped in to assist Smith during his rehabilitation.
“General Smith and his family are focused on his rehabilitation and appreciate his continued respect for his privacy prior to his full recovery,” the Marine Corps said.
News of Smith's surgery comes as the Pentagon's top official, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, has come under fire for failing to disclose to the White House and the public the elective medical procedure he underwent on December 22nd. It was reported that. Since then, he has been hospitalized since January. As a result of .1, many government officials remained in the dark for several days.
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