Top Senate Democrat reports mild stroke

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, suffered a brief mini-stroke Tuesday, but doctors found no complications and he feels fine, aides said yesterday.

One of the nation's most powerful elected Democrats, the 65-year-old senator canceled several appearances in Nevada late this week. But his press secretary, Tessa Hafen, said, ''There are no complications or any restrictions on his activities."

A gold miner's son, Reid assumed leadership of the Senate minority last January.

''His doctors have recommended that he take advantage of the summer congressional recess for some downtime," Hafen added.

Her statement said Reid sought medical attention at the urging of his wife, Landra. He was told he had experienced a transient ischemic attack.

''It's being described as a mini-stroke . . . but he is feeling just fine," Hafen said.

On vacation in Texas, President Bush was told of Reid's situation. ''The president is glad to hear that Senator Reid is feeling fine and looks forward to working with him this fall," White House spokesman Trent Duffy said.

Reid was in his hometown of Searchlight, Nev., when the episode occurred and went to Las Vegas to see a doctor, Hafen said. She said the senator is now in Las Vegas with his family and is not hospitalized. Congress has been in recess since the end of July.

Asked why announcement of the event was delayed for three days, Hafen said, ''The reason was the tests and the evaluations that they were doing. We wanted to make sure we knew what we were announcing. You need conclusive information."

A transient ischemic attack is described by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as a transient stroke that lasts a few minutes and occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.