Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders hasn't left the hospital since Tuesday night, and is still recovering from an operation to place two stents in a blocked artery.

But the 78-year-old socialist firebrand, the oldest person in the 2020 field, plans to be on stage for a Democratic presidential primary debate on October 15 in Ohio.

'Bernie is up and about, his wife Jane said in a statement. 'Yesterday, he spent much of the day talking with staff about policies, cracking jokes with the nurses and doctors, and speaking with his family on the phone.'

'His doctors are pleased with his progress, and there has been no need for any additional procedures,' she said. 'We expect Bernie will be discharged and on a plane back to Burlington before the end of the weekend. He'll take a few days to rest, but he's ready to get back out there and is looking forward to the October debate.'

Sanders canceled a string of presidential campaign events on Wednesday after suffering what a spokesman said was 'chest discomfort' that required the stents.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, pictured Sunday at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., hasn't left a Las Vegas hospital where he was treated for a blokced artery on Tuesday night

Sanders' wife Jane (at right) said the senator has been cracking jokes with doctors and nurses, and speaking to family members on the phone, but isn't expected to leave the hospital for a few more days

The 78-year-old presidential candidate, the oldest in the 2020 field, will have to take it easy but expects to be home in Vermont by the end of the weekend

AGES OF THE 2020 CANDIDATES ON INAUGURATION DAY As of April 8, 2020 there were two major party candidates in the 2020 presidential election. Here is the age each of them would be on Inauguration Day 2021 if he were to win: Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) : 78 years, 2 months, 1 day

: 78 years, 2 months, 1 day President Donald Trump (R) : 74 years, 7 months, 7 days Advertisement

Sanders showed up at a Charleston, South Carolina event in March with a bandaged head for what his campaign said was a cut from a glass shower door

Senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement Wednesday that '[f]ollowing medical evaluation and testing he was found to have blockage in one artery and two stents were inserted.'

'Sen. Sanders is conversing and in good spirits. He will be resting up over the next few days, Weaver added. 'We are canceling his events and appearances until further notice, and we will continue to provide appropriate updates.'

Sanders updated his supporters on Wednesday and took the opportunity to tout his single-payer 'Medicare for All' proposal.

'Thanks for all the well wishes,' he wrote. 'I'm feeling good. I'm fortunate to have good health care and great doctors and nurses helping me to recover. None of us know when a medical emergency might affect us. And no one should fear going bankrupt if it occurs. Medicare for All!'

The Sanders campaign on Wednesday also canceled at least $1.3 million in ad spending that was scheduled to buy time on Iowa television and radio stations.

Sanders released a doctor’s note during the 2016 presidential campaign saying that he had no history of heart disease and was otherwise in good health.

U.S. doctors insert about 2 million stents per year into patients, according to Harvard Medical School. It's a procedure the American Heart Association describes as 'fairly common' and says carries fewer complication risks than open-heart bypass surgery.

But the American Medical Association issued a report in 2013 that included stenting among the most highly 'overused' medical treatments.

Sanders has canceled campaign events before.

His campaign called off appearances in South Carolina last month in the wake of a Democratic primary debate where his voice sounded strained.

Sanders updated his supporters on Wednesday and took the opportunity to tout the single-payer 'Medicare for All' proposal

Bernie Sanders alternated between gruff and gleeful during a public campaign event Monday in Hooksett, new Hampshire

Democratic presidnetial candidates have had campaign health scares before: Hillary Clinton raised fears in 2016, collapsing at a 9/11 memorial event in New York City

In March he showed up at South Carolina campaign events with a bandaged head after treatment for what his campaign said was a cut that he suffered in the shower.

He received a half-dozen stitches at a walk-in medical clinic.

The cantankerous senator would be 83 years old at the end of his first term in office if he were to win the White House.

Former President Jimmy Carter, who turned 95 this week, said in September that 'I hope there's an age limit' for the presidency.

'If I were just 80 years old, if I was 15 years younger, I don't believe I could undertake the duties I experienced when I was president,' he said.