Ex-President Bush to spend fourth night in hospital, aide says he's in 'high spirits'

Nov. 11, 2014: Former United States President George H. W. Bush is brought into the auditorium where his son Former United States President George W. Bush speaks about his new book titled "41: A Portrait of My Father" at the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station.

Former President George H.W. Bush remained at a Houston hospital on Friday for the fourth straight night after being admitted for shortness of breath.

A spokesman for the 41st president said Friday that he "remains in high spirits and continues to make progress."

Bush, 90, had been taken by ambulance to Houston Methodist Hospital on Tuesday evening as a precaution, family spokesman Jim McGrath said earlier this week. On Wednesday, McGrath said his prognosis "remains positive."

Bush spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care at the same hospital while being treated for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues. He was discharged in January 2013, after nearly two months in the hospital.

Bush is the oldest living former American president. He suffers from a form of Parkinson's disease that has forced him to rely on a motorized scooter or wheelchair. But he's also skydived on at least three of his birthdays since leaving the White House, including a tandem jump for his 90th birthday in June.

President Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, has been notified about Bush's hospital admission.

"President Obama and the first lady send their good wishes to the former president and the entire Bush family during this holiday season," said White House spokesman Eric Schultz.

Bush made two public appearances last month. He attended an event at Texas A&M University with his son, former President George W. Bush, and served as the coin-toss captain for the Houston Texans during a Nov. 23 game that honored the U.S. Armed Forces.

The elder Bush was a naval aviator in World War II -- at one point the youngest in the Navy -- and was shot down over the Pacific.

Bush served two terms as Ronald Reagan's vice president before being elected the nation's 41st president in 1988. After one term, highlighted by the success of the 1991 Gulf War in Kuwait, he lost to Democrat Bill Clinton amid voters' concerns about the economy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.