The White House physician released a memo Friday stating that U.S. President Donald Trump is in "excellent health" following his annual physical [1, 2].
The report arrives as part of a routine effort to inform the public of the president's fitness to carry out his official duties. Because of the demands of the office, the health status of the U.S. executive remains a matter of significant public and political interest.
President Trump, who is 79 years old [1], underwent the examination in late May at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland [1, 4]. According to the memo, the president's cardiac and neurological functions are normal [2].
"He is in excellent health," said Dr. Sean Conley, the White House physician [1].
Despite the overall positive assessment, the medical report noted specific physical findings. Dr. Conley said that the president has some leg swelling and hand bruising, though he maintained that the overall health status remains excellent [3].
Additionally, the physician's findings included lifestyle recommendations to improve the president's long-term wellness. The report advised that Trump should lose weight and increase his amount of exercise [4].
These routine exams are designed to provide a baseline of health for the president while he manages the stresses of the executive branch. The memo was released to the public on May 30 [2].
“"He is in excellent health,"”
The release of the medical memo serves to project stability and vitality for a president entering his 80s. While the 'excellent' rating suggests no immediate crises, the specific mentions of leg swelling and the recommendation for weight loss provide a nuanced view of the physical challenges associated with the president's age and lifestyle.
