Biden remains 'healthy' and 'vigorous,' his doctor says
President Joe Biden remains “healthy” and “vigorous,” his physician reported Thursday after a routine physical, and is “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency”, CNN reported.
The physical, which occurred earlier in the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, did result in a small lesion on Biden’s chest being removed for a biopsy, the results of which are still pending.
Other exams of the president’s head, ears, eyes, nose and throat were normal. An “extremely detailed” neurologic exam found no findings that would be consistent with stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
Biden still experiences a “stiff gait,” the report said, and he was prescribed custom orthotics to help with his feet. He continues to work out five days a week and his contact lens prescription was updated.
The report from Dr. Kevin O’Connor is likely the last health update before Biden makes his reelection intentions known in the coming months.
O’Connor said the most notable health event for Biden over the past year was his bout with Covid-19 over the summer. O’Connor said Biden’s blood oxygen levels didn’t fall below 97% and that his vital signs remained normal throughout the ordeal.
According to the health report, Biden hasn’t experienced any residual symptoms considered to be long Covid.
Biden is being treated for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, or AFib – an irregular heartbeat that O’Connor said Biden experiences no symptoms of.
And he experiences “occasional symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux,” namely having to clear his throat often.
O’Connor said those symptoms are exacerbated shortly after meals.
Biden spent the morning at Walter Reed in Maryland receiving his routine physical. It was Biden’s second since becoming president. In 2021, his doctor similarly reported the president was a “healthy, vigorous” 78-year-old fit to serve as commander-in-chief.