March 25, 2012 -- Updated 0021 GMT (0821 HKT) Dick Cheney has a history of heart trouble, suffering at least five heart attacks since 1978. Cheney, 71, had surgery at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. He had been on the cardiac transplant list for more than 20 months, a statement from his office said. Cheney has a history of heart trouble, suffering at least five heart attacks since 1978. His first occurred when he was 37. In June 2001, Cheney was implanted with a pacemaker after he experienced irregular heart rhythms. The former Wyoming congressman served as an influential vice president with President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. The network said filmmaker R.J. Cutler "will offer up a measured, layered profile of the polarizing, controversial former vice president." As vice president, Cheney worked diligently, mostly behind the scenes, to forge the Bush administration's identity and broad policy positions. He was considered the administration's point man on three major issues: energy, global warming and domestic terrorism. Cheney also served in the Nixon White House and was chief of staff to President Gerald Ford.