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President George W. Bush had a physical
examination by his doctor yesterday. According
to the summary of his results and medical
history released by the White House, he is in
"the 'superior' fitness category for men his
age. Unlike Vice President Cheney, Bush has a
'low' to 'very low' coronary artery disease risk
profile.
While Pres. Bush “does not regulalry use
prescription medications,” the White House said
that he takes a multi-vitamin each day.
The medical report asserted that Bush does
not drink any alcohol, but has “an occasional
cigar” He does drink caffeine, however, in diet
sodas and coffee.
He allegedly exercises six times a week, and
his “[w]orkouts include cycling, elliptical
trainer, resistance training, and flexiblity
exercises.” |
With a date of
birth of July 6, 1946, the President is 61 years old.
Past Medical History
- There is no past medical history of
hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, sexually
transmitted disease, or stroke. The President
benefits from a “low” to “very low” (favorable)
coronary artery disease risk profile with a
favorable family medical history, absence of
modifiable risk factors; superior fitness, favorable
CAD markers (e.g. CRP, lipids) and functional
studies (“stress echocardiogram”), and
“minimal/mild” coronary artery calcification noted
on anatomic study (coronary artery computed
tomography, 12/2004).
- Erythema migrans consistent with early,
localized Lyme disease, treated, with complete
resolution and without recurrence, 8/06.
- Seborrheic keratosis.
- Actinic keratoses identified and treated with
liquid nitrogen.
- Telangiectasias, nasal bridge, consistent with
solar damage; treated 8/03.
- Vasovagal syncope, 1/02; solitary episode with
identifiable precipitating event superimposed on
longstanding, non-pathologic sinus bradycardia
(consistent with a conditioned heart); evaluation
1/02, no sequelae, and no recurrence since 1/02.
- Adenomatous colonic polyps (5 tubular adenomas,
each < 1.0 cm without advanced features) removed on
surveillance colonoscopy 7/07. Repeat colonoscopy is
indicated in 3 years.
- Mild high frequency hearing loss documented and
stable on prior exams; speech frequencies excellent.
Currently no symptoms.
- History of seasonal allergic rhinitis;
asymptomatic this spring with preventive seasonal
use of nasal corticosteroid spray.
- The President has a history of activity-related
injuries as noted below, which resolved without
sequelae and do not impact his current duties. He
continues a vigorous aerobic, weight training, and
flexibility program.
- Musculoskeletal low back pain secondary to heavy
lifting and tight “hamstrings”; fully evaluated in
1990; asymptomatic due to current exercise and
flexibility program.
- Intermittent bilateral anterior knee pain,
activity-related, with a left medial meniscal injury
and subsequent surgical repair in 1997. Orthopedic
and radiographic re-evaluation in 12/03 confirmed an
old incomplete tear of the PCL of the right knee
with resultant patello-femoral chondromalacia,
post-traumatic degenerative changes, and
asymptomatic medial meniscal damage, all most
consistent with a remote athletic injury and
physical activity. Symptoms resolved with quadriceps
strengthening, cross-training (biking), and
elimination of routine impact exercises (e.g.
running) from his routine.
- Right “calf” running injury (strain/tear), 4/03,
most consistent with overuse. Symptoms resolved.
- Minor abrasions and lacerations secondary to
injuries sustained while biking, all healed without
sequelae.
- Gastroesophageal reflux with well-defined
triggers, 2005, without recurrence.
- Vitreous floaters, infrequent, evaluated by
retinologist 3/06; examination normal for age
(non-pathologic age-related changes only).
- Mild hyperopic astigmatism/presbyopia, fully
correctable. Uses reading glasses as-needed
- Blood transfusions: none.
Past Surgical History
- Appendectomy 1956
- Left medial menisectomy as above, 3/97
Medications
- The President takes a daily multi-vitamin. He
does not routinely use prescription medications.
Immunizations
- The President’s immunizations are current for
worldwide travel.
Social History
- Tobacco: An occasional cigar
- Alcohol: None
- Caffeine: Diet sodas and coffee
- Exercise: The President exercises six times per
week. Workouts include cycling, elliptical trainer,
resistance training, and flexibility exercises.
- Other: A viral illness prompted rearrangement of
the President’s schedule at a morning session of the
G8 in June. The President has not otherwise missed
work due to illness since his last physical exam.
Physical ExaminationVital
Statistics
Age: 61 years old
Height: 71.50 inches (without shoes)
Temperature: 97.8 degrees F (oral)
Weight: 192.0# (last year 196.0#)
Body Composition: Body fat 16.6% (last year 16.8%;
normal for age 16.5-20.5%; Cooper data)
Resting heart rate (seated): 52 bpm
Resting blood pressure (seated): 117/71
System-specific examination summary
ENT (ears, nose, and throat): Physical examination of
the head, neck, and thyroid are normal except for a
serous otitis media as well as signs and symptoms
consistent with maxillary sinusitis and recovering mild
vestibular neuronitis. Audiogram shows bilaterally
symmetric high frequency sensorineural hearing loss
consistent with age and without significant change from
previous exams. Thyroid function tests were normal.
Eyes: No ocular pathology was noted on dilated
ophthalmoscopic examination. Visual fields were normal.
Distant visual acuity was 20/20. Corrected near visual
acuity was 20/20 in both eyes (the President uses
reading glasses as needed). Intraocular pressures were
normal bilaterally.
Neurologic exam: Comprehensive examination normal.
Pulmonary: Normal.
Gastrointestinal: Normal. Colonoscopy was last
performed in July 2007. No recurrence of previously
described symptoms consistent with occasional
gastroesophageal reflux. Abdominal examination normal.
Cardiology: Physical examination of the circulatory
system was normal. The resting EKG revealed sinus
bradycardia consistent with previous exams and aerobic
conditioning. Fasting lipid panel: total cholesterol:
170 (last year 174; “desirable”<200); HDL: 51 (last year
60; >40); LDL: 106 (last year 101; "optimal"<100,
“desirable”/“near optimal”<130); total cholesterol/HDL
ratio 3.3 (last year 2.9); Triglycerides: 61 (last year
71; <150). hsCRP: < 0.012 (range 0.0-0.5). Homocysteine:
12.5 (range 7.6-20.8).
The President underwent Balke protocol exercise
treadmill testing (ETT) with echocardiogram. He
exercised for a total of 25:01 minutes achieving a
maximum heart rate of 184 bpm with a 1-minute recovery
of 150 bpm (34 beat differential). No signs or symptoms
of cardiovascular pathology were noted. Stress
echocardiogram was normal.
Dermatology: Seborrheic keratoses and lesions
consistent with solar damage (e.g. telangiectasias)
noted as in past. History of past actinic keratosis was
noted but none discovered on this exam.
Musculoskeletal: General musculoskeletal survey was
unremarkable.
Genitourinary System: Normal. PSA was 0.6 (normal <
4.0).
Laboratories
A standard battery of routine screening laboratory tests
was performed and was unremarkable.
Summary
The President remains in excellent health and is “fit
for duty”. All data suggest that he will remain so for
the duration of his Presidency. Based on an overview of
his examination and history the following clinical
diagnoses are made:
1. The President remains in the “superior” fitness
category for men his age (greater than ninety-seventh
percentile for 60-64 year-old men; Cooper).
- Low” to “very low” coronary artery disease risk
profile. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
"activity-marker" evaluation (including C-reactive
protein, homocysteine, and lipids), and “functional”
studies (exercise treadmill test) stratify the
President to a “low” to “very low” coronary risk
category. Continued “therapeutic lifestyle measures”
(i.e. reduced intake of saturated fat and
cholesterol, regular physical activity, and weight
control) are appropriate.
- Sinus bradycardia, asymptomatic, non-pathologic,
and consistent with a conditioned heart.
- History of vasovagal syncope without pathology,
sequelae, or recurrence.
2. History of vitreous floaters, infrequent,
nonpathologic, normal for age. Mild hyperopic
astigmatism/presbyopia, fully correctable.
3. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, well-controlled.
4. Serous otitis media and maxillary sinusitis with
mild viral vestibular neuronitis, recovering.
5. History of mild high frequency sensorineural
hearing loss unchanged from examinations.
6. History of gastroesophageal reflux without
recurrence.
7. History of colonic adenomas, removed 7/07. Repeat
colonoscopy indicated in 3 years.
9. History of activity-related musculoskeletal
injuries currently without symptoms limitations
10. Skin lesions consistent with solar damage.
Recommend continued sun-protection measures (e.g.
sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, etc.) Seborrheic keratoses—treatment
not indicated nor requested. History of early, localized
Lyme disease, treated without recurrence or sequelae.
Recommend standard precautions in endemic areas.
Source: White
House |