Former first lady Barbara Bush has heart surgery

 A family spokesman says former first lady Barbara Bush had successful open heart surgery.

Jim McGrath says Wednesday’s surgery was scheduled last week after Bush experienced shortness of breath.

He says doctors had noticed recently that Bush’s aortic valve had started to harden.
McGrath says Bush is resting comfortably after the procedure.

Houston television station KRTK reports that Bush almost didn’t want her children to know because she didn’t think it was a big deal.

Bush is the mother of former President George W. Bush and former Florida governor Jeb Bush.

In December, she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer.