Former US president George H. W. Bush, 90, has been admitted to a Texas hospital suffering shortness of breath, a family spokesman said Tuesday.

"President Bush was taken by ambulance to the Houston Methodist Hospital as a precaution after experiencing a shortness of breath earlier this evening," his spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"The former president, age 90, will be held for observation, again as a precaution," AFP quoted.

Massachusetts-born George H.W. Bush, the son of a senator, served only one presidential term, from 1989-1993.

Beaten by Bill Clinton in 1992, he saw his eldest son George W. Bush, take over eight years later. The elder Bush is father to six children.

Jeb Bush, another son of Bush Sr., threw his hat into the ring for the 2016 White House race just this month, announcing he was laying the groundwork for a campaign.

The 61-year-old former Florida governor said he has "decided to actively explore the possibility of running," making him the first serious Republican contender to announce a likely run.

Jockeying is under way ahead of primaries to choose a challenger for presumptive Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the election to decide the successor to President Barack Obama.

Source: ANTARA