Screen star Elizabeth Taylor has been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital to treat symptoms from congestive heart failure, her spokeswoman said Friday.

Taylor, 78, was admitted to Cedars Sinai hospital earlier this week for what her publicist told People magazine was "an ongoing condition".

"This issue is being addressed," Sally Morrison said in a statement. "She is currently being kept in the hospital for monitoring."

Taylor has a long history of medical problems and underwent heart surgery in 2009.

"Her family and close friends are appreciative of the warm support and interest of her loyal fans but have asked that people respect her privacy and allow her medical team the time and space to focus on restoring her back to health," the statement said.