Workaholic Rudd will have to rest: doctor

Kevin Rudd's cardiologist says he has no fears about keeping his notorious workaholic patient in bed so he can recover from heart valve replacement surgery.
David Celermajer, professor of cardiology at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said the 53-year-old foreign minister realised the better he looked after himself, the quicker he'll be back at work.
"It's short term investment for long term gain," Prof Celermajer told AAP.
"I think if he respects his body during the recovery period, as I expect he will, then he knows he's got a very long healthy future."
Mr Rudd confirmed on Wednesday he will have surgery on or around August 1 to replace a leaky aortic valve that was inserted almost 20 years ago.
The surgery is considered routine by doctors, and the former prime minister could be back to his best in two months, Prof Celermajer said.
"Recovery from this is quicker than people think," the cardiologist said.
"I think it is two months before we can expect he will be fully back at work and doing everything he is doing now.
"It's a graduated recovery - after a week or two he may well feel like talking to friends on the phone and so on."
His heart condition would not be a barrier to a long career in politics, he said.
"He's made it clear that he'd like to contest the next election and continue to represent his local constituents and continue to be a contributor in public life, and we have every expectation that he's going to be able to do that for as long as he chooses," he said.
Prof Celermajer dismissed suggestions the Queensland MP's busy work schedule had lead to the deterioration of his replacement heart valve.
"The valve he's had in had an expected life of about 15 to 18 years," he said.
"It's 18 and a half years, so this was an entirely predictable event, and he's done better than average.
"I don't think there is any suggestion that the fact that he leads a busy life has made the valve deteriorate."
Mr Rudd's original valve was removed due to the effects of the rheumatic fever he suffered as a child.
The decision on what kind of heart valve he would get would be made on the day of the surgery, Prof Celermajer said.
These days, heart valves can be made of artificial material, human tissue, or animal tissue sourced from pigs, cows or horses.
Mr Rudd's operation will be conducted by a specialist surgeon and take place in either Sydney or Brisbane.