** Hospital operator HCA Healthcare's HCA.N shares rise 1.9% to $348 premarket
** HCA says its Q1 profit rose nearly 9% as more people underwent elective procedures and sought medical care due to rise in flu cases
** HCA posts Q1 profit of $6.45/share vs $5.93/share year earlier
** Co reports Q1 revenue of $18.32 billion vs est. of $18.26 billion - data compiled by LSEG
** Co maintains its annual profit forecast in range of $24.05-$25.85/share vs est. of $24.92/share
** As of last close, HCA up 13.8% YTD
(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)
((siddhi.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))
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