 "The report stated that Trump receives treatment for several health issues. Reuters/File Photo")
US President Donald Trump underwent his routine annual health check-up on Friday, and the results from the White House medical team are here.
So, how fit is the oldest person ever inaugurated as president in US history?
According to the White House doctors, Trump is in “excellent cognitive and physical health.”
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But what does that really mean for Trump?
In this piece, we break down the president’s medical report, what his doctors observed, and other important takeaways.
How fit is Donald Trump?
At 78, Donald Trump is the oldest person to take the oath as US President.
On Friday, he spent nearly five hours undergoing a full medical check-up at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, describing it as “every test you can imagine.”
Following the exam, Trump’s physician declared that the president is “fully fit” to lead the country in his role as commander-in-chief.
The former president, who is now 20 pounds lighter compared to his last physical in 2020 when he was on the verge of obesity, seems to have benefitted from lifestyle changes.
His doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, credited Trump’s “active lifestyle” as a key factor in his continued good health. Trump is due to turn 79 on June 14.
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View AllBarbabella, a Navy veteran with a background in emergency and tactical care, has served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has received both a Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit, two of the military’s highest honours.
In a three-page update released by the White House, Barbabella stated that Trump is “fully fit to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.” According to the report, Trump now weighs 224 pounds, a drop from 244 during his last examination over four years ago.
The report said Trump’s body mass index (BMI) is now 28.0, placing him in the “overweight” range. In 2020, his BMI stood at 30.5, pushing him into the “obese” category at the time.
Trump previously underwent cataract operations on both eyes, although the timeline for these procedures was not provided. The surgery is common among older adults and typically involves replacing a cloudy lens with a clear artificial one to improve vision.
The summary also stated that Trump receives treatment for a number of health issues, including high cholesterol, sun-related skin damage, seasonal allergies, and diverticulosis – a digestive condition where small pouches form in the wall of the colon, according to The New York Times.
A healthy cholesterol level is considered to be under 200. Trump’s total cholesterol was 223 in 2018, dropped to 196 the following year, and came down to 167 in 2020. As per The Guardian, the latest figure stands at 140.
Trump also scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is used by doctors to check for early signs of cognitive impairment. While travelling to Florida on Friday, he told reporters that “he got every answer right.”
His blood pressure measured 128 over 74, which falls in the elevated range. If not addressed, elevated blood pressure can develop into hypertension.
As part of the comprehensive assessment, Trump was also screened for depression and anxiety. The results, according to the report, were within normal limits based on standard questionnaires.
What about other examinations?
Medical checks on different parts of Trump’s body, including his vision, hearing, and upper respiratory system, showed no issues. The physician did mention a scar on his right ear, believed to be from the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania last year.
Barbabella described Trump as having “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and general physical function.”
He pointed to Trump’s regular public appearances, participation in meetings, and what he called “frequent victories in golf events” as signs of how active he remains.
The White House often discusses Trump’s success on the golf course , especially at the clubs he owns in Florida, where they say he has won a number of tournaments.
Barbabella noted that Trump’s heart examination did not reveal any irregularities.
The report also listed some previous medical conditions, including a Covid infection, rosacea – a common skin condition that often leads to facial redness, and a benign polyp in the colon.
What Trump said on his test results
When asked about his medical check-up on Sunday and how he maintains his health, Trump responded, “Because I enjoy what I’m doing and I like the results.
“I think we’re making America great again and it makes me feel good. It probably keeps me happy,” he told reporters during his flight back to Washington from Florida.
While Trump holds the record as the oldest individual ever elected to the US presidency, he is still four years younger than Democrat Joe Biden, whose term concluded in January at the age of 82.
Following his check-up last Friday, Trump told journalists about performing flawlessly on a cognitive test, while taking a jab at Biden.
“I took a cognitive test. I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”
“I think it’s a pretty well-known test. I’ve taken the test four times. I’ve got nothing wrong,” he said, referring to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. “That’s what the American people want. Biden refused to take it. Kamala refused to take it.”
With inputs from agencies