Argentine president Mauricio Macri resting after cardiac arrhythmia

Macri speaking at an event in Buenos Aires on Friday, May 27, 2016. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentine President Mauricio Macri cancelled his official activities on Saturday, a day after being hospitalised for several hours with cardiac arrhythmia, a government source said.

Macri was temporarily hospitalised on Friday at a private clinic near his presidential residence and underwent medical testing before returning home.

The 57-year-old leader suffered "mild arrhythmia" during the afternoon on Friday, but continued with official duties for several hours before checking into the clinic, according to the government official.

Macri was forced to cancel two official events on Saturday, his office said.

The President will undergo a check-up at home on Saturday, and is expected to return to next week, his spokesman Ivan Pavlovsky told Radio Mitre.

"The arrhythmia in under control and he will return to his normal work schedule as soon as Monday," Pavlovsky said, adding that doctors had recommended that the President rest during the weekend.

Pavlovsky reported that Macri has been "under pressure" since taking office in December, but said this was the first medical episode of its kind.

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