The White House released Joe Biden’s health report on Thursday, describing a 80-year-old president who is “healthy,” “vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties” of his office.
It was the president’s second annual physical at Walter Reed Medical Center since taking office and comes just before a widely expected announcement for a reelection bid. Biden, the oldest person ever elected to the White House, has been subject to questions of his mental acuity and age — an attack line his challengers are likely to lean into on the campaign trail.
“If you watch him, you’ll see that he has a grueling schedule that he keeps up with — that sometimes some of us are not able to keep up with,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier Thursday, when pressed on the president’s age in the White House briefing room.
She noted that at last week’s State of the Union, “I believe he spent 90 minutes speaking to congressional members in front of him to the American people. After that, he spent an hour shaking hands and saying hello and greeting congressional members and their guests.
Since his last physical, Biden battled a case of Covid and a rebound infection. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, noted in his health summary Thursday that Biden has not experienced any prolonged symptoms that would be considered long Covid.
Biden’s health has remained stable since his last medical exam was released in November 2021. In that report, the doctor noted the president had a “perceptibly stiffer and less fluid” gait and more frequent throat clearing, two addendums that could be explained by relatively minor issues.
As was the case in 2019, Thursday’s summary said Biden was being treated for several common age-related conditions such as a minor heart arrhythmia and an elevated cholesterol level. O’Connor said Thursday that the president’s cholesterol remains “remarkably low” on his current medication.
Biden did have a small lesion removed from his chest on Thursday and sent for biopsy, the letter said. First lady Jill Biden had cancerous tissue removed last month.
The president weighed in at 178 pounds and stands 6 feet tall. He still works out five days a week, the doctor said, and does not drink alcohol or use tobacco products.
“President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” O’Connor wrote.
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