WASHINGTON, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday for a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat and was expected to be home by the weekend, his office said in a statement.

Warner, 80, checked in with the Capitol Physician's Office mid-morning, returned to his office for meetings, and left in the afternoon for an appointment at a Virginia hospital, the statement said.

"Sen. Warner had a procedure to correct atrial fibrillation. A second, routine procedure will be performed tomorrow. His doctors fully anticipate that Sen. Warner will be home this weekend and back to work next week," the statement said.

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Warner, an influential voice in Congress on military policy, announced last month that he would not seek re-election next year for a sixth Senate term.

A former Navy secretary and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Warner has openly criticized President George W. Bush's handling of the Iraq war and called on him last month to begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq.

Warner, who was once married to actress Elizabeth Taylor, has been in the Senate for 30 years.

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