Oct 19, 2013 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he once feared terrorists could use the electrical device that was implanted near his heart to kill him and had his doctor disable its wireless function.

Cheney has a history of heart trouble, suffering the first of five heart attacks at age 37. He underwent a heart transplant last year at age 71.

In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Cheney said doctors replaced an implanted defibrillator near his heart in 2007. The device can detect irregular heartbeats and control them with electrical jolts.

Cheney said he and his doctor, cardiologist Jonathan Reiner, turned off the device’s wireless function in case a terrorist tried to send his heart a fatal shock.

Years later, Cheney watched an episode of the Showtime series “Homeland” in which such a scenario was part of the plot.

“I was aware of the danger, if you will, that existed, but I found it credible,” Cheney told “60 Minutes” in a segment to be aired Sunday. “Because I know from the experience we had and the necessity for adjusting my own device that it was an accurate portrayal of what was possible.”

Cheney and Reiner are promoting a book they co-authored, “Heart: An American Medical Odyssey.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) – NBC said it’s canceling two freshman shows, “Ironside” and “Welcome to the Family.”

“Ironside,” starring Blair Underwood in an updated version of the Raymond Burr police drama, will air its final episode Wednesday. Burr’s “Ironside” aired from 1967-75, but low ratings will keep the new series to a total of four episodes.

“Welcome to the Family,” a Thursday night comedy about a young couple’s unplanned pregnancy, won’t have a chance to say goodbye. Its last airing was this week.

Replacing “Ironside” in November and December will be a mix of shows including episodes of “Dateline” and “Saturday Night Live” holiday-themed specials, NBC said.