Incarcerated former president Chen Shui-bian was escorted to a government-run hospital in Taoyuan early yesterday morning due to a heart condition. He was later sent back to the Taipei Prison after doctors determined that there is not need for hospitalization at this point.

Former President Chen Shui-bian has been claiming that he is suffering from heart problems, and was transported to Taoyuan Hospital on Monday morning for tests.

The ambulance and police motorcade didn't arrive at the hospital until 8 a.m. due to morning rush hour traffic.

Lying on a stretcher and wearing a surgical mask and baseball hat, Chen was wheeled to an ICU room on the ninth floor of the hospital with a blanket covering his handcuffs and shackles.

A hospital official said that medical personnel conducted heart and lung ultrasounds on Chen, but Chen's son, Chen Chih-chung, called on the hospital to give his father a thorough physical exam.

According to the hospital, Chen will be sent back to Taipei Prison if test results show no abnormalities.