NC lawmaker felt acid reflux, needs heart surgery

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A North Carolina state senator is recovering from heart surgery after learning it was blocked arteries and not the political pull and tug in Raleigh causing his bad acid reflux.

Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca of Hendersonville said Monday he had open-heart surgery last week at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

The 54-year-old ex-smoker says he could stand to lose a few pounds, but considers himself to be in pretty good shape.

The legislative powerbroker is urging people not to ignore warning signs from their bodies and to seek the advice of medical professionals.

The good-humored Apodaca says he plans to be back in a few months looking like George Clooney, but for now is just looking forward to wearing clothes that open in the front.

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