"His diet and lost weight are more important than the stress of his job," Braunwald said, although he said that Cheney's efforts to live well, like eating more vegetables and not smoking, have led his overall health to improve.
But Cheney's elevated role in the Bush administration may still put him at extra risk.
"Cheney will require more care than somebody without coronary disease," Braunwald said, especially "if he flew to a nation that didn't have a good hospital system."
Patterson said he is less concerned about these kinds of scenarios, given what he says is the usual role of a vice president.
"The importance of being a foreign ambassador is somewhat low," he said. "That role can be carried by the secretary of state."
Cheney's heart condition also raises questions regarding how much information elected officials should reveal to the public, as Cheney has so far refused to make his medical history public.
Braunwald and Patterson both said that some amount of public disclosure is appropriate and inevitable for public servants.
"If you're going to be in a major role like this, you're in a goldfish bowl," Braunwald said.
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