Philippine leader's husband leaves hospital after heart surgery

May 1, 2007, 6:15 GMT

Manila - The husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left hospital on Tuesday, more than three weeks after undergoing a delicate heart surgery.

A haggard Jose Miguel Arroyo, 60, waved to reporters and said 'thank you' several times as he was being led to a waiting van that took him to the presidential palace.

The controversial first gentleman, who has been linked to various government scandals, underwent a 10-hour operation to correct an aneurysm in his heart.

Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, Arroyo's main doctor, said the first gentleman would be undergoing cardiac rehabilitation and will have to return to the hospital every other day.

She added that Arroyo has been told to keep to a low-fat, low-cholesterol and sugar-restricted diet, and to 'manage his stress.'

'Any form of stressful activities or sudden burst of emotions may increase the blood pressure and then, can of course, make him at risk again,' she said.

'Hopefully, he will be able to adjust to his new lifestyle,' she added. 'He has to adhere to our prescribed diet and the rest of his lifestyle should be in moderation.'

Cervantes said the first gentleman lost 10 pounds after the surgery, but expressed hope he would be able to 'gain back his full strength' in the coming weeks.