Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized As Precaution After Complaining Of Shortness Of Breath

Former President George H.W. Bush was taken to a hospital late on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after he experienced shortness of breath, a spokesperson for the 90-year-old said, in a statement.

The 41st president of the United States was taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital, and “will be held for observation, again as a precaution,” Jim McGrath reportedly said. Bush was treated in the same hospital for nearly two months for bronchitis during the 2012 holiday season. He was later discharged in January 2013.

"President Bush was taken by ambulance to the Houston Methodist Hospital as a precaution after experiencing a shortness of breath earlier this evening," the statement reportedly said. "The former president, age 90, will be held for observation, again as a precaution."

President Barack Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, has been reportedly notified about Bush’s health.

"The president has been made aware that President Bush was admitted to the hospital," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said, according to Reuters. "President Obama and the first lady send their good wishes to the former president and the entire Bush family during this holiday season."

He recently appeared at an event in November at Texas A&M University along with his son, former president George W. Bush. And, while celebrating his 90th birthday, Bush made a tandem parachute jump near his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Bush, who is the oldest living former president, can no longer use his legs. Bush served as president from 1989 to 1993 and was two-term vice president under President Ronald Reagan, before being elected president himself.