Biden stays match for obligation, physician says after president’s medical examination

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden “stays match for obligation” after his first bodily examination whereas in workplace, his physician Kevin O’Connor stated Friday.

O’Connor, nonetheless, famous in a well being report {that a} “single, 3mm, benign showing polyp” was faraway from Biden’s colon throughout a routine colonoscopy performed throughout Friday’s examination, which required that he be positioned beneath anesthesia.

Analysis of the polyp is anticipated to be accomplished subsequent week.

Learn the total abstract of Biden’s medical examination right here.

O’Connor in his report stated Biden has been experiencing a rise within the frequency and severity of throat-clearing throughout talking engagements. The physician stated his perception that acid reflux disorder is inflicting that drawback was supported by the examination and an skilled session.

One other situation flagged by O’Connor was Biden’s “ambulatory gait,” which the physician stated, “is perceptibly stiffer and fewer fluid than it was a yr in the past.”

A lot of that stiffness is because of put on and tear on Biden’s backbone, in addition to a limp from a fracture in his proper foot final yr, and “a mile sensory peripheral neuropathy of the toes,” O’Connor stated.

The president’s weight registered at 184 kilos, and his pulse charge was 72, the doctor stated.

Biden, who will flip 79 on Saturday, is the oldest particular person ever to be sworn in and because of this, his well being is a topic of eager curiosity amongst voters.

“President Biden stays a healthy-vigorous 78-year-old male, who’s match to efficiently execute the duties of the Presidency, to incorporate these as Chief Government, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” O’Connor wrote.

His bodily occurred at Walter Reed Nationwide Military Medical Heart in Bethesda, Md., the standard hospital of American presidents.

Whereas he was anesthetized for his colonoscopy, Biden transferred energy to Vice President Kamala Harris, making her, for a time, the primary feminine appearing president in U.S. historical past. He resumed his position as president earlier than midday, White Home press secretary Jen Psaki later stated.

Biden’s most up-to-date public medical report was launched in late 2019, whereas he was a candidate for president.

That report stated Biden was wholesome and match, but in addition that he additionally was being handled with remedy for a number of frequent age-related circumstances. These included an elevated ldl cholesterol stage, a minor coronary heart arrhythmia (AFib) and seasonal allergic reactions.

The 2019 report additionally famous that Biden suffered from occasional acid reflux disorder, which he handled with over-the-counter remedy.

The outcomes of Biden’s newest examination are doubtless to attract intense scrutiny from Republicans and conservative media hosts, who’ve spent years constructing a false narrative of Biden as an ailing previous man incapable of governing. To take action, they’ve seized on Biden’s lifelong stutter to counsel that his occasional stumbles over phrases are indicators of dementia.

In actuality, individuals who spend time with Biden, together with prime Senate Republicans, say he’s as sharp and as well-informed as anybody on his workers.

Biden additionally takes care to take care of his well being.

“I’ve a treadmill and a Peloton bike and a few weights. And I attempt to work out each morning for me. That kind of will get me going,” Biden stated on his presidential marketing campaign’s podcast in 2020.

After he was elected, nonetheless, Biden was reportedly prohibited from bringing his personal Peloton bike with him into the White Home, as a result of safety issues concerning the bike’s connectivity.

As not too long ago as June, Biden was photographed driving a motorbike along with his household close to their Rehoboth, Del. bea,ch home.

Biden’s choice to briefly switch energy to Harris mirrored that of former President George W. Bush, who transferred energy to his then-Vice President Dick Cheney in 2002 and 2007 whereas he underwent routine colonoscopies.

Biden’s instant predecessor, former President Donald Trump, 75, reportedly refused anesthesia for what was believed to be a colonoscopy exactly as a result of he didn’t need to switch energy to then-Vice President Mike Pence, in response to a memoir by former White Home aide Stephanie Grisham.

Christina Wilkie reported from Washington, and Dan Mangan reported from New York.