The Heart of the Matter

I would never wish anyone ill health, but when they talk about the Vice President being "a heart beat away" from moving into the oval office, what are we to make of this:

He has had four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, two artery-clearing angioplasties and an operation to implant a special pacemaker in his chest.

Maybe a heart beat away as long as a portable generator and a team of heart specialists is nearby.