At 81 years old, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, is in good health and fit to carry out his position, although in the last year he has had to incorporate into his routine a machine to treat sleep apnea that he uses every time. the nights.
According to the annual report released by the president’s official physician, Kevin O’Connor, Biden “feels well and this year’s physical examination identified no new concerns.”
“President Biden is a healthy, active and robust 81-year-old man, who remains in a position to successfully execute the functions of the presidency,” notes the medical report, sent to the White House and provided to the press by the spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre.
Like every year, the Democratic president, who is seeking re-election in the November elections, had to undergo a complete physical examination and the doctor reviewed his medical history.
Several consultations were held with specialists in optometry, dentistry, foot, ankle and spine orthopedics, physiotherapy, neurology, sleep medicine, cardiology, radiology and dermatology.
The main change Biden has made to his routine, O’Connor details, is the addition of a sleeping machine, which pumps air under pressure into the airways, to treat positive airway pressure (PAP). for its acronym in English).
The president has been experiencing symptoms consistent with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for years. Although they improved significantly after their nasal surgeries, given “the importance of efficient sleep for anyone, even more so for a senior executive,” it was decided to do a sleep study after which the machine was recommended.
The doctor further recalls that on March 3, 2023, it was discovered that the skin lesion removed from the president’s chest during last year’s annual health assessment was not basal cell carcinoma. “No additional treatment was required for that injury,” he noted. Another incident that he suffered last year, the doctor says, was a dental emergency that was treated in June.
The medical report explains in detail the president’s health, who has “occasional symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux,” which may contribute “to the occasional cough” that the president frequently displays. Regarding his motor skills, Dr. O’Connor states that his gait “remains stiff, but has not worsened since last year.”
An “extremely detailed” neurological examination, the report states, confirmed that there were no findings of cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, and no signs of cervical myelopathy.
Biden, the report concludes, “has been happily married for 46 years,” does not use any tobacco products, does not drink alcohol, and continues to exercise at least five days a week. He weighs 178 pounds (80.7 kilos) and is 72 inches (1.82 meters) tall, with a body mass index of 24.1.
Although the publication of this annual report is routine, it comes at a time when Biden’s health and his ability to run for re-election as the Democratic candidate is being strongly questioned.
Last month, the report of the special counsel who investigated Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents noted that the president has a significantly impaired memory.
According to surveys, his advanced age worries voters and could take away votes from him in the November 5 elections, when he will likely face former Republican President Donald Trump (2017-2021), who is only three and a half years younger than him.
