Clinton walking; aides direct well-wishers to Web

NEW YORK – Former President Clinton was taking short walks in the hallway outside his hospital room and was in good spirits Thursday following heart bypass surgery this week, his office said.

“The Clinton family is thankful for all the support and encouragement they’ve received throughout this week and request that people send their good wishes via the Clinton Foundation Web site in lieu of sending flowers,” said a statement posted Thursday.

The family also said it is distributing flowers already received to other patients at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Flowers that were sent to the former president’s Harlem office are being given to charitable organizations in the neighborhood.

The 58-year-old former president went to the hospital late last week after complaining of prolonged chest pain and shortness of breath. Doctors said Monday he’d had those symptoms several months. They said he had blamed them on lapses in his exercise routine and acid reflux.