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George W Bush could have died if doctors didn't discover and immediately clear blocked artery, sources say

Published: 17:23 EST, 11 October 2013 | Updated: 18:29 EST, 11 October 2013

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It turns out that former President George W Bush's heart procedure last August was much more serious than originally thought.

Sources familiar with the president's situation told the National Journal that if the blocked artery hadn't been caught during a routine checkup on August 5, Mr Bush could have died.

After discovering the blockage, the president was admitted the next morning to Texas Health Presbyterian where doctors inserted a stent which opened the artery. He was held overnight for observation and was soon after released.

Close call: Former-President George W Bush underwent a procedure in August to unclog a coronary artery. Now, sources familiar with the procedure are saying it was much more serious than initially reported

'He was more than 95 per cent occluded,' a source told the Journal. 'With a blockage like that in the main artery you're supposed to die. He was pretty lucky they caught it.'

An internist, who asked not to be identified, told the Journal that if doctors hadn't noticed the blockage it almost certainly would have resulted in 'a grave cardiac event'.

Interventional cardiologist Dr Jonathan Reiner wasn't involved with Mr Bush's procedure, but has operated on Vice President Dick Cheney and noted the seriousness of the treatment.

Lucky: A source said that the artery was 95 per cent clogged and with that much blockage 'you're suppressed to die' . Above, a post-op Mr Bush speaking with golfer Fred Couples at the Presidents Cup last weekend

One cardiologist explained that a blocked artery causes the heart to work harder than normal, and that can lead to a heart attack. Above, more pictures from last weekend's Presidents Cup in Dublin, Ohio

Reiner explains that when an artery is blocked that much, the heart has to work much harder to keep blood flowing.

Performing vigorous activity elevates the heart rate even more which could lead to a heart attack.

When reports of the procedure came out, many were surprised since Mr Bush has always lead an active life - usually running 6 days a week.

Since the operation, doctors have put him on a scaled back exercise regimen, but he seems to be recovering fine.

Last week he attended the Presidents Cup in Ohio and is back riding mountain bikes.

'Hes back on the bike - easy, not hard,' a friend told the Journal. 'But he's feeling terrific and doing fine.

Physically fit: Reports of the procedure came a surprise to many since Mr Bush leads a healthy lifestyle. He's a regular runner and an avid mountain biker