Report: Cheney to pen book about heart treatment

Former Vice President Cheney is writing a book about his struggle with cardiac disease that chronicles his multiple heart problems and his heart transplant earlier this year, according to a report in the New York Times.

"It explains and talks about all the developments in cardiology by going through my own case," Cheney told the paper. "I'm alive today because of the tremendous advances that have been made."

The 71 year old is collaborating on the book with his cardiologist, Jonathan Reiner, and with his daughter, Liz Cheney. The untitled book, to be published by Scribner, will be available next fall.

Cheney has slowly reemerged into public life since his heart transplant surgery earlier this year. In July, he hosted a $30,000 per plate fundraiser for Mitt Romney at his Wyoming home.

Cheney suffered five heart attacks throughout his life, and used an electronic pacemaker before his heart transplant surgery in March. Cheney had been on the donor wait list since June 2010.

The former vice president has been outspoken about his heart treatments in the past, famously disconnecting his battery-operated heart pump during a segment on the "Today Show" in 2011. He told the Times that the idea for the book came during an appearance with his cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Cheney called his recovery "nothing short of a miracle."

"I'm better than I've been in years," he said.

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