California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is at the center of a health scare during the early hours of Wednesday morning, after being taken to the hospital with a rapid heartbeat.

Just hours after lighting the tree at the Sacramento state Capitol, he entered the UC Davis Medical Center at about midnight local time, complaining of his heart.

It was determined he is suffering from stomach flu. On advice from his personal doctor, he went to the hospital where it was determined his heart rate had returned to normal.

He was observed for several hours before being released.