President Joe Biden is “fit for duty,” his doctor said after a thorough annual medical exam. The review found some relatively minor problems, but concluded that there were no major physical or neurological problems.
“President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old man who is fit to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency, including as head of the executive branch, head of state and commander-in-chief,” physician Kevin O’Connor said in a letter released by the White House.
A physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center led to the removal of a small lesion from Biden’s breast for a biopsy, the results of which are still pending.
Other examinations of the president’s head, ears, eyes, nose and throat were normal. An “extremely detailed” neurological examination found no signs consistent with stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
Biden still has a “stiff gait,” the medical report said. He was recommended an appointment with orthopedists to help him with his legs. He continues to exercise five days a week and his contact lens prescription has been updated.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s report is likely the last health update before Biden announces his re-election bid in the coming months.
O’Connor said the most notable health event for Biden this past year was his battle with COVID-19 over the summer. O’Connor claimed that Biden’s blood oxygen levels did not drop below 97 percent and that his vital signs remained normal during the ordeal.
According to the health report, Biden did not have any residual symptoms considered to be prolonged COVID-19.
Biden is being treated for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, or AFib, an irregular heart rhythm for which O’Connor said the president has no symptoms.
Biden experiences “random symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux,” namely having to clear his throat frequently.
O’Connor explains that these symptoms worsen shortly after eating.
Biden spent the morning at Walter Reed in Maryland, where he received his routine medical exam. This is the second such review for Biden since he became president. In 2021, his doctor similarly reported that the president was a “healthy, vigorous” 78-year-old man fit to serve as commander-in-chief
Presidents are not legally required to provide information about their health and can choose which details are published. Reports from the White House physician over the past several decades have consistently described the official as fit to serve.
The document contains a detailed account of the physical examination, including his height of 6 feet; his weight of 178 pounds—six pounds less than his last physical; and his blood pressure 128/77. Biden does not drink or smoke, the document says.
As with his previous medical in 2021, the White House did not say whether Biden underwent any cognitive tests that some doctors recommend for older adults.
Biden, who will be 86 at the end of a possible second term, has faced persistent questions about his age and health from conservative critics. Even many Democrats say in polls they are concerned about his age. He tried to refute those doubts by pointing to his record and endurance: “Look at me,” he often says to those who point out his age.
More recently, Biden has questioned the accuracy of polls that show a majority of Democrats want another candidate for their nomination next year. “I don’t hear that,” he said in an interview with Telemundo last week. “Do you know of any research that is accurate these days?”
The White House initially said Biden would complete his review by the end of January, but the date was pushed back amid a busy travel schedule.
The last time Biden’s doctor provided regular updates on the president’s health was during his battle with COVID-19 last summer. Biden had a brief spike in temperature, body aches, a runny nose and fatigue, but was otherwise fine. After taking the antiviral Paxlovid, he suffered a relapse of the infection, forcing him to stay in the White House for several weeks.
During Biden’s 2021 physical, O’Connor highlighted two areas of “watch”: “increasing frequency and severity of “clearing the throat” and coughing while speaking,” as well as the president’s ambulatory gait, or abnormality in a gait that O’Connor says is “noticeably tighter than it was about a year ago.”
Both have been prominent features of Biden’s public appearances since his inauguration.
