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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent heart surgery Wednesday morning after experiencing discomfort during exercise, the court said.

Ginsburg, 81, had a stent placed in her right coronary artery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She was resting comfortably and was expected to be discharged within 48 hours, the court said.

The blockage was discovered after she felt discomfort on Tuesday night, the court said. For the past few years, Ginsburg has been working out with a personal trainer at the Supreme Court gym, and a court official said she was there when she felt the discomfort.

Ginsburg was appointed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton and is the oldest sitting justice. She has repeatedly and vigorously pushed back at those who have urged her to step down while President Barack Obama is still in office to appoint a successor.

— Pete Williams