Andrew Sharp, East Lothian's SNP Westminster candidate, is recovering after suffering internal bleeding following an operation to remove his gall bladder.
Speaking from his bed at Stirling Royal Infirmary, the 53-year-old politician described what happened to him as "a life-threatening event."
He praised the quick acting hospital staff, saying: "If it had not been for these guys, I would not be here
now. They saved my life."
Mr Sharp, who lives at Doune in Perthshire, said the bleed was "unexpected" and could not have been foreseen.
His wife Kirsty and daughters Sarah (20) and Catriona (16) were at his bedside during visiting hour when he took a turn for the worse.
Mr Sharp said: "My family were visiting me in the evening and my wife didn't think I was looking too well."
ConvalesceHe explained that nurse Kirsty McLaughlin checked the equipment which was monitoring his heart and pulse, and immediately summoned the emergency team, ushering visitors out of the ward.
He said: "She really was the hero of the hour. Red buttons were being pushed — it was like something out of ER. It was very much touch and go."
Mr Sharp said he was on painkillers and would have to convalesce for four of five weeks.
But he stressed that he can still be contacted at
andrewgsharp@tiscali.co.ukExperiencePeter Swain, treasurer of the East Lothian SNP and acting constituency organiser, said: "We were very sad to hear it didn't go as smoothly as hoped and look forward to see Andrew fit and well again, and spending time campaigning."
Mr Sharp is the second high profile East Lothian politican to experience time in hospital recently.
Local MP Anne Moffat was admitted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after suffering a brain haemorrhage several weeks ago.
A spokeswoman for Ms Moffat said the MP was "phasing in" her political duties and had been travelling to the House of Parliament in London for "odd days."
She was there on to take part in the vote for a new Speaker for the House of Commons.
