Emergency Penguins Update.

Good news:

Lemieux released from hospital

Pittsburgh Penguins owner-captain Mario Lemieux was discharged from a hospital Thursday after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can be treated with medication and should not affect his career.

Lemieux, 40, was admitted to an undisclosed Pittsburgh hospital after practice Wednesday, after complaining of an irregular heartbeat -- a condition team general manager Craig Patrick said Lemieux has experienced several times in recent weeks.

After being evaluated overnight, doctors diagnosed the problem and told Lemieux he should rest and go on medication. He is expected to take it easy for a week to 10 days, after which the team will determine when he can resume play.

Patrick said the condition should not affect Lemieux's life in any way and that the Hall of Famer should be able to return to the Penguins' lineup relatively soon. Patrick said Lemieux can start on the medication immediately and doctors do not expect any ill effects from it.

"We expect that he will be able to begin exercising in a matter of days and return to the lineup in a brief period of time," Patrick said at the team's practice Thursday morning.

Patrick said doctors aren't sure what brought on the condition, but that a number of factors can trigger it, including stress.


Old news:

Lemieux hospitalized

(Thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for the heads up.)