Former prime minister Jean Chrétien is "recuperating very well" after quadruple heart bypass surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute on Wednesday, doctors said.

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, accompanied by his wife Aline, leaves a meeting on Sept. 12 with the publishers of his forthcoming book My Years as Prime Minister.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

Chief of surgery Dr. Michel Pellerin, who performed the operation, said Chrétien is in the critical-care unit and is expected to have a full recovery.

"I just talked to him a few minutes ago. He's well and he's recuperating very well at the moment. His outcome is excellent," said Pellerin at a news conference at 7 p.m. ET.

The 78-minute operation was performed Wednesday morning. Chrétien, 73, will likely remain in hospital for five to seven days, and his total recovery time could last up to three months, doctors said.

Cardiologist friend urged hospital visit

The former prime minister had been attending the Presidents Cup at the Royal Montreal Golf Club over the weekend.

On Monday, he was playing golf at a charity event north of Montreal. One of the people golfing with him was a cardiologist, whom he asked for advice.

"He was very lucky. He had a bit of discomfort and mentioned it because there was a doctor there," said Eddie Goldenberg, a longtime friend and adviser. "The doctor asked him a couple of questions and said, 'You better come and see me.' "

He was examined and then hospitalized at the Montreal Heart Institute.

Chrétien was diagnosed with unstable angina — an unexpected, prolonged chest pain resulting from obstructed arteries and a warning sign that a heart attack could be imminent.

Doctors said he didn't have any of the high-risk factors such as diabetes and smoking, but may have had a genetic link to heart disease from his mother.

Cancelled speech in Vancouver

Chrétien has always been quite physically active, and his family and friends alike were optimistic he would quickly recover.

"I'm sure he will be very quickly rollerskating or rollerblading or waterskiing with his grandchildren on his shoulders and all the stuff Jean Chrétien does," said former Liberal MP Don Boudria.

The sudden turn in his health forced Chrétien to cancel a speech Tuesday at an Asia-Pacific mining conference in Vancouver.

Chrétien, who led the Liberal party to three majority governments during his 10 years as prime minister, stepped down from the top post in 2003.

Following his retirement from politics, Chrétien returned to law with the prominent firm Heenan Blaikie and has toured the lecture circuit.

Recently he has been promoting the soon-to-be-released second volume of his autobiography, which will cover his years as prime minister.