Inhofe had heart surgery, expected back to Washington in a few weeks

FILE: Feb. 9, 2011: Sen. James Inhofe testifies on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. (AP)

Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe had heart surgery Friday and is expected to make a full and quick recovery, his office said Tuesday.

The 78-year-old Republican senator had quadruple-bypass surgery after a routine doctor visit earlier last week revealed he had a “serious problem” with his heart, according to his office.

Inhofe said he had no visible symptoms and was “shocked” by the discovery.

The procedure was performed in Tulsa, Okla., where Inhofe is recovering.

Inhofe staffers tell Fox News the senator is expected to return to Capitol Hill in a few weeks.

“I am feeling great and am fully engaged with my work here in Oklahoma,” Inhofe said in the release. “I encourage my colleagues in Washington to work with vigilance to reopen the government with a bill that represents Oklahomans and all of Americans. I may miss some upcoming votes on the continuing resolution. But my doctors agree I will return soon and even stronger to continue the fight to protect Oklahomans' freedoms."