WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was released from hospital early Monday, just several hours after he was taken to George Washington Hospital due to respiratory problems.

    Cheney, who has had heart trouble, was released after being hospitalized in the early morning hours Monday, said his spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride.

    The vice president suffered shortness of breath and went to George Washington Hospital this morning at 3:00 am (0800 GMT), said McBride.

    "His doctors found that his electrocardiogram was unchanged and determined that he was retaining fluid as a result of anti-inflammatory medication he has been taking for a foot problem,and they have placed him on a diuretic," McBride added.

    Cheney has a long history of heart problems and has a pacemaker, he suffered his first heart attack in 1978 when he was 37. Ten years later, he had quadruple bypass surgery to clear clogged arteries after his third heart attack.

    In last September, Cheney underwent surgery to remove blood clots behind each of his knees.

    Cheney has not suffered heart attack since he became vice president in 2001 and began to exercise everyday in 2000 and started eating healthier.Enditem