Former US president George HW Bush hospitalised

Houston: Former US President George HW Bush has been admitted to a hospital after experiencing a shortness of breath.

90-year-old Bush, a Texas resident, was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Tuesday evening as a precaution, his spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement.

McGrath says Bush "will be held for observation, again as a precaution".

The 41st president spent nearly two months in the same hospital and was discharged in January 2013 after treatment for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues.

Bush, who can no longer use his legs, most recently appeared seated in a wheelchair at an event in November at Texas A&M University with his son George W Bush, also a former president.

"The President (Barack Obama) has been made aware that President Bush was admitted to the hospital. President Obama and the First Lady send their good wishes to the former president and the entire Bush family during this holiday season," said the White House Spokesman, Eric Schultz.

Bush senior served as the 41st president. Before being elected as the president, he was the Vice President under Ronald Reagan.