Following Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine making public a few details of their medical records, Trump’s running candidate for vice-president Mike Pence released a letter from his doctor, which claims that the candidate’s health is in excellent condition.
In the letter, Dr. Michael Busk of the St. Vincent Health, Wellness and Preventive Care Institute in Indianapolis, summarized Mike Pence’s medical history and the results of a physical examination the candidate had back on July 6. The letter details more about Pence’s medical history than the two notes released thus far about Trump’s. Dr. Harold Bornstein had written a letter to the public claiming that Trump would be the healthiest person ever elected to the Presidency of the United States of America.
The letter from Dr. Busk, released on Saturday, details that the Indiana Governor and Trump’s running mate has a history of seasonal allergies, diet controlled heartburn, and left bundle branch block (a heart condition).
Pence had basal cell carcinomas removed from his face back in 2002 and 2010. His last colonoscopy in 2009 didn’t find any polyps. He also had surgery for an inguinal hernia last year.
Dr. Busk noted that Pence’s only medication was for his seasonal allergies (Claritin) and that he does not drink alcohol or smoke. The Indiana Governor also exercises regularly — four times a week, in fact —. He goes cycling and extensively walks and climbs the stairs.
In spite of his heart condition, extensive evaluations in 2014 found that he otherwise has a “very healthy and vigorous heart,” according to cardiologists. He tested well in stress examinations and was within the reasonable limits of a variety of blood tests.
His total cholesterol was 216, “borderline high” in the cholesterol scale. His H.D.L. (good cholesterol) levels were within the healthy range, at 55, but his L.D.L. (bad cholesterol) was borderline high at 150.
Both Pence’s and Trump’s letters noted they both were overweight. Mike Pence weighs 208lbs and is 5ft 10in tall. He’s 57 years old.
Donald Trump has had less medical details released to the public thus far, but what is known so far is that he takes Crestor, a cholesterol drug. He also ingests a low-dose aspirin.
Similarly to his running mate, Trump tested within normal ranges in a variety of recent medical examinations: a colonoscopy, electrocardiogram, and a chest x-ray. He’s also a teetotaler.
Why are Americans interested in the health of candidates?
The heightened interest in the candidate’s health comes after Hillary Clinton was recorded barely being able to walk during a September 11 memorial event, and had to leave abruptly.
This was followed by the subsequent reveal that she had been diagnosed with mild pneumonia just two days before. She took a brief break from campaigning to recover and has since returned.
Clinton’s doctor, Lisa Bardack, had released a note last year where she detailed the Democratic candidate’s health records. Clinton, aged 68 years old, also suffers from periodic allergies and had sustained a concussion in 2012.
She was otherwise found to be in normal health for the rest of the physical examination, and her doctor noted that her mental health was in “excellent condition.”
Tim Kaine’s doctor said the candidate is in excellent health and drinks moderate amounts of alcohol. He also takes a Vitamin D supplement.
Source: The New York Times