Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he was feeling better after suffering a heart attack earlier this week.

Mahathir said he could now walk around his room at the National Heart Institute, where he is warded, and was not feeling dizzy or having difficulty breathing, the state Bernama news agency reported.

"I feel much better now," Mahathir told Bernama . "I also have no dietary restrictions," he added.

Bernama described his mood as jovial, with the 81-year-old outspoken ex-premier cracking jokes amd reading the newspaper.

Mahathir also issued his congratulations to the crown prince of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, who was married on Thursday.

Ease up on his schedule

Mahathir was admitted after having breathing difficulties, which doctors said Thursday was due to lung congestion caused by a heart attack - his fourth of such attacks.

The elder statesman previously suffered a heart attack in 1989 and had bypass surgery. He also had a mild stroke in November last year, caused by a clot that restricted blood flow in one of his arteries.

Mahathir said he would ease up on his schedule on the advice of his personal physician as well as the consulting cardiologist, Nasir Muda, Bernama reported.

"Dr Mahathir still needs to undergo chest physiotherapy daily and must be under doctors' observation," Nasir said, adding he would remain at the institute for a few more days.