“Healthy” and “strong”: According to his doctor, US President Joe Biden is fit to hold office. The 80-year-old is able to successfully fulfill the duties of the president, his longtime physician Kevin O’Connor wrote Thursday.
Biden had previously undergone regular health checks – the White House finally published the five-page report. Biden was the oldest president ever to take up residence in the White House. His state of health is a constant source of debate in the United States.
In the United States, presidents are required to regularly report on their health. This is not required by law; but it has become a kind of ritual that no president can avoid.
Several examinations were scheduled for Thursday at Walter Reed Military Hospital near the capital Washington. During skin cancer screening, a “small lesion” was removed on his chest, it said. This is now being investigated in the laboratory. A result was still pending. Examinations of Biden’s ears, eyes or throat were normal. According to his doctor, after his Covid 19 illness in the summer, Biden has no symptoms.
Biden’s ailments
However, the 80-year-old has one or two ailments. This includes, for example, a “stiff gait” – Biden is therefore prescribed custom-made orthoses.
According to the report, the 80-year-old suffers from spinal arthritis, among other things. Biden also has gastroesophageal reflux disease. According to the doctor, the digestive illness causes Biden to clear his throat and cough more often. The symptoms worsened after meals. In contrast, examinations of the lungs and airways revealed no abnormalities.
Biden is also being treated for non-valvular atrial fibrillation. According to O’Connor, Biden has no symptoms. Biden also works out five times a week, is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs nearly 180 pounds. The doctor also noted that Biden does not smoke or drink alcohol. The study did not reveal any findings suggestive of stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease. The report’s findings were broadly consistent with the results of the president’s latest investigation in November 2021.
Does he start?
Biden has so far stated that he intends to run for a second term. The Democrat has not yet made a final decision on this – the decision is eagerly awaited. Given his advanced age, there are concerns even within Biden’s own party whether he would be the best candidate. Biden would be 81 in the next presidential election in 2024, 82 at the start of a second term and 86 at the end.
US Republican Nikki Haley had previously called for mandatory intellectual aptitude tests for politicians over the age of 75. The 51-year-old has just announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. Her proposal was also the subject of the daily press conference at the White House on Thursday.
When asked whether Biden would be willing to conduct such a test if the population asks, the spokeswoman for the US president responded with closed lips. “I’m not going to get into hypotheses here,” she said. Biden’s doctor’s report did not state whether the president underwent cognitive testing during the checkup. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
