BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Bo Diddley was in stable condition at a Gainesville, Florida, hospital after suffering a heart attack while undergoing a routine medical checkup Friday, his publicist said Tuesday.

Susan Clary said the 78-year-old singer-guitarist complained of dizziness and nausea and was taken to North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville where a stent was implanted to improve the blood flow to his heart. The hospital is near the musician's north central Florida hometown of Archer.

Clary said the musician was in stable condition at the hospital's cardiac care unit after spending the weekend in intensive care. A hospital spokesman referred all questions to Clary.

"He is conscious," Clary said. "The situation is very serious."

In May, Diddley was hospitalized in Nebraska after suffering a stroke after casino performances in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was soon transferred to Florida.

Diddley, with his black glasses and low-slung guitar, has been an icon in the music industry since he topped the R&B charts with "Bo Diddley" in 1955. His other hits include "Who Do You Love," "Before You Accuse Me," "Mona" and "I'm a Man."

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received a lifetime achievement Grammy Award in 1998.

(Agencies)