Doctors say prognosis good for Sinatra’s recovery

Jeff Wilson

Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Frank Sinatra's prospects for recovery appeared good after the 81-year-old entertainer suffered an "uncomplicated heart attack," his doctor said.

Sinatra was being treated in a private room, not in the intensive care unit, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

"He appears to have had an uncomplicated heart attack and is undergoing tests, observation and treatment and the prognosis is good," Dr. Rex Kennamer said in a statement released Thursday by Sinatra spokeswoman Susan Reynolds.

Sinatra was rushed to the hospital by paramedics just before 7 a.m. Thursday. His wife, Barbara, was with him, spokeswoman Susan Reynolds said.

Wise said an uncomplicated heart attack usually means a patient doesn't need intensive care.

Reynolds emphatically denied news reports that Sinatra was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

"He absolutely does not have Alzheimer's," she said. "It is unfortunate that there has to be such rampant rumor and speculation."

No further information was released by the doctor or Reynolds.

UCLA cardiologist Dr. Antoine Hage said that generally an "uncomplicated heart attack" is one that does not result in significant heart failure or pumping dysfunction. Depending on whether tests reveal damage to the heart, the patient may be released within a week, he said.

Sinatra's two earlier hospital in recent weeks stays did not involve the heart, a hospital source told The Associated Press.

"It's very different this time," he said.

The entertainer returned to his home Tuesday after a 24-hour stay at Cedars-Sinai. The source said that hospitalization was for a prearranged procedure and wasn't a life-threatening illness.

Sinatra was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai for eight days in November for treatment of what was described as a pinched nerve and mild pneumonia.

Hospital visitors were sorry to hear Sinatra was back.

"I went to see him in the 1940s and we would sit in the front row and scream our heads off," said Fay Litwak. "I'm 72 years old and I still scream my head off. I love him, I really do. Ol' Blue Eyes is just wonderful. I'm sorry he's not well."

Sinatra turned 81 on Dec. 12 and celebrated privately at home with his family amid reports his health was deteriorating.

Sinatra's career has spanned decades, from his days as a bobbysoxer singing idol from Hoboken, N.J., to Oscar-winning film star.

He made 58 feature films and recorded more than 100 albums. He received the Kennedy Center honor in 1983 and was awarded the Medal of Freedom by his friend, President Reagan, in 1985.

His trademark song is "My Way," other signature tunes include "Night and Day," "Young at Heart," "One for My Baby," "How About You?" "Day by Day," "Old Man River," "New York, New York," "Come Fly With Me" and "Strangers in the Night."

Sinatra won an Oscar for "From Here To Eternity." Other movie credits include "Anchors Aweigh," "On The Town," "Guys and Dolls," "The Tender Trap," "The Man with the Golden Arm," "High Society," "Pal Joey" "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Von Ryan's Express."