Howie Mandel back at work, says his health is fine

Posted 01 16 2009 9:49AM

LOS ANGELES – Howie Mandel is back at work and says his heart and health are fine.

The 53-year-old comedian was hospitalized in Toronto earlier this week following an outpatient procedure for an irregular heartbeat. Mandel said he returned to work Wednesday on his NBC hidden-camera show, "Howie Do It!"

"I'm calling you from the set right now," Mandel said Thursday. "I'm OK. I didn't have a heart attack. I passed out. I fainted. Like a young girl."

"They put me on medication and I'm actually going to go back today just to make sure it's stable," he said. "It is and I feel good."

Mandel said he learned of his irregular heartbeat after a physician on the set checked his heart with a stethoscope. An electrocardiogram showed an irregular heartbeat, and doctors suggested an outpatient procedure.

"I think it's called cardio inversion," Mandel said. "They put you under and they take the defibrillator and they shock you and zap! Your heartbeat goes back to normal because you changed the electrical current. ... Like a reboot."

Mandel, who fasted before the procedure, fainted when he returned to his hotel. That's when he was hospitalized.

"They checked me out for the night and my heart is fine," he said. "I just have, people have irregular heartbeats. I have a strong heart."

Mandel, who also hosts NBC's "Deal or No Deal," said he feels great and is excited about taping his new show.

"Going in, before, I felt healthy. So for me, an irregular heartbeat is a good feeling," he said. "It's worked for me."

"Howie Do It!" features an often-costumed Mandel playing hidden-camera pranks. The show, which airs on Fridays, also stars Mandel's son Alex.

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NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

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On the Net:

http://www.howiemandel.com

http://www.nbc.com/howie-do-it/