Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to a Jerusalem hospital late Wednesday night, according to senior political sources. His office says the 77-year-old was conscious and in stable condition.

According to media reports, Sharon made the unexpected trip just hours before he was scheduled to undergo a procedure to correct a heart defect that contributed to a stroke on Dec. 18.

Israeli media is reporting that he suffered a second stroke or heart ailment and was complaining of pressure or pain in his chest on Wednesday night.

There has been no word on whether the scheduled surgery will be performed. The planned catheterization had been expected to take three hours. Israeli officials said Sharon had planned to turn over his authority to Vice Premier Ehud Olmert.

Sharon was released from the hospital two days after his first stroke and resumed work. Doctors said he suffered no lasting brain damage from that stroke and ordered the prime minister to lose weight. According to CNN.com, he's lost more than 6 pounds since the first stroke.

Sharon is currently running for a third term as prime minister. Elections are set for the end of March.

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