Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was in "good spirits" after he underwent a heart surgery at a New York hospital on Thursday, his spokesman said.

File photo taken on Jan. 22 shows former U.S. President Bill Clinton calling on the donation for the quake-hit Haiti during the break of a NBA match in New York, the United States. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was hospitalized in New York on Feb. 11 after experiencing chest pains. [Shen Hong/Xinhua]

The former president got two stents inserted into one of his coronary arteries at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to a written statement from Douglas Band, Clinton's spokesman and lawyer.

The operation was performed after Clinton complained of chest pain during a visit to his cardiologist, it said.

The former president will "continue to focus on the work of his foundation and Haiti's relief and long-term recovery efforts," the statement added.

The Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital is seen in New York February 11, 2010. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton underwent a successful heart procedure at the hospital on Thursday to open a blocked artery in his heart with two stents after he had experienced chest discomfort, his spokesman said. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

In 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, has left Washington D.C. to see her husband in New York before embarking on a trip to the Middle East, according to U.S. TV reports.

Former president George W. Bush, who is working with Bill Clinton on the Haiti relief efforts, sent prayer to him for a quick recovery.