WVEC Sports Reporter and weekend Anchor Brian Smith is off the air after suffering from a Heart Attack.

Smith, 51, said he was at home in Virginia Beach Wednesday afternoon when he experienced shortness of breath. Increasing discomfort convinced him to go to Sentara Independence, where he was examined and transferred to the cardiac unit at Sentara Virginia Beach General.

Smith, who said he deals with high cholesterol that runs in his family, required a stent to clear a main coronary artery that was nearly 100 percent blocked.

“I’ll be off the air at least a month, then I’ll play it by ear,” said Smith, who has been with the ABC affiliate for 21 years. “I don’t like being sedentary for too long a period of time, but I have no other choice. I don’t want to go backward in any way, shape or form.”

Smith said he has been overwhelmed with text messages and well-wishes on Facebook.

“I look forward to getting back,” he said, “but right now I’m trying to just focus on getting through today.”

He was released from the hospital on Friday.

H/T Virginia Pilot