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(AP) -- U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri has undergone surgery to have a coronary stent implanted.

Blunt's office said Friday that the 62-year-old Republican senator underwent "a routine and successful" outpatient medical procedure Thursday at George Washington University Hospital.

Blunt spokeswoman Amber Marchand says the senator noticed he was experiencing shortness of breath while on a 10-county tour in Missouri last week. She says doctors discovered a blockage at the front of the senator's heart during an examination earlier this week.

Blunt said he hopes to return to his normal schedule next week.

This is Blunt's first heart-related surgery. In 2002, he had a kidney removed that had a cancerous tumor. In 2003, Blunt had his prostate removed after detecting the early stages of cancer.

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