White House doctor says Trump is in 'excellent overall health'
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump is in "excellent overall health," according to his White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella. The 79-year-old underwent a "comprehensive executive physical," which included advanced imaging of his heart and abdomen. The results were described as "perfectly normal." According to the BBC, Barbabella's memo stated that there was no evidence of arterial narrowing or abnormalities in Trump's heart or major vessels.
Routine check
MRI part of standard executive physical for Trump's age
The MRI was conducted during a physical exam in October, as part of a comprehensive executive physical. "The purpose was preventive, to identify potential health issues early and ensure long-term vitality and function. President Trump's cardiovascular imaging is perfectly normal," Barbabella wrote, as per the New York Post. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read Barbabella's memo during a news briefing, emphasizing transparency in releasing the results.
Medical debate
External physicians question standard practice of MRI for preventive care
However, two outside physicians who reviewed the memo told the BBC that MRIs are "not typically standard" for preventive care. Dr Carla Perissinotto, a geriatrics specialist at UC San Francisco, said some people opt for testing outside standard age-based guidelines. Dr Jeffrey A Linder from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine noted that routine anatomical imaging is generally discouraged in asymptomatic patients due to potential risks outweighing benefits.
Health scrutiny
Trump's health under scrutiny amid age concerns
The release of these results comes amid scrutiny from Democrats over Trump's health, especially considering his age in the second term. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and others have been pushing for transparency regarding the scan results. Despite some concerns about his health, Trump has publicly downplayed any issues, saying he "aced" a cognitive test and calling the MRI results "perfect."