Naperville's Pradel out of hospital, returning to work

Not even a heart attack can keep Naperville Mayor George Pradel sitting still for too long.

Pradel, 72, was released from the hospital over the weekend and plans to return to work at least briefly today, just four days after having surgery to correct blockages in his coronary arteries.

"I feel really good and I wanted to just get up off the table after they got done with me and go home, but they wouldn't let me go," said Pradel, Naperville's mayor since 1995.

On Feb. 10, the energetic mayor began feeling an unusual sensation in his chest. He thought it might be indigestion. Still not feeling well later that night, he and his wife decided a trip to Edward Hospital was in order.

"I'm happy I did that, because you never know what's going to happen if it's not taken care of," he said.

The next day, doctors inserted two stents to correct blockages in his coronary arteries, and in the process, discovered he had suffered a mild heart attack.

"We've got the best hospital around here and they're very attentive, and everybody is so nice and made me feel like it's going to be OK," he said.

Pradel underwent open heart surgery about 16 years ago and also had a stent placed in his heart in 2006. Last week's mild heart attack did not do any permanent damage.

"I'm sorry I alarmed people," he said. "So many people are hurting more than I am and I'm so grateful I've gotten a lot of cards, calls and flower deliveries."

Doctors released Pradel from the hospital Saturday afternoon, giving him restrictions about lifting, driving and having visitors.

Sunday, the mayor decided to play hospital visitor himself, making a trip to Central DuPage Hospital to visit a fellow retired police officer.

"I feel like God's been good to me and here I am back on the street," he said. "I might as well share the encouragement with other people."