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President George
W. Bush had a physical examination by his doctor on August 6, 2007. 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 “workouts include cycling,
elliptical trainer, resistance training, and flexiblity exercises.”
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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
Examination
Vital
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
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