Cheney disconnects his heart pump battery during NBC interview

Former Vice President Dick Cheney shocked NBC's Jamie Gangel by removing the battery from the heart pump that is keeping him alive.

"Could you just show me out it works?" Gangel asked Cheney during an interview that aired Monday.

"Sure, it's got a pump inside that's tied into my heart," the former vice president explained. "It's powered by batteries. They're good for about ten hours. When you take them out it beeps."

Cheney then laughed as he disconnected the battery and the device began to beep.

"Please put it back in," Gangel pleaded.

Watch this video from NBC's Today Show, broadcast Aug. 28, 2011.

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