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President Barack Obama’s overall health is “excellent” and is expected to stay that way for the rest of his time in office, his physician, Dr Ronny Jackson, said in a report on Thursday 13 June2014.
His findings are based on Obama’s most recent physical exam, which was conducted in May 2014. His previous one was in October 2011.
Read: Ugandan president tested for HIV in public
A former smoker, Obama kicked the smoking habit in 2010, his wife Michelle Obama told reporters in February. 2011. He occasionally chews nicotine gum, Jackson said in the report, released by the White House. Fortunately, his lungs appear to have suffered no serious damage from what was a long term habit.
Read: Lung cancer trigger spotted
“The president continues to focus on healthy lifestyle choices,” Jackson said. “He eats a healthy diet, exercises daily, remains tobacco free, and only drinks alcohol occasionally and in moderation.”
In addition to chewing nicotine gum, Obama takes Vitamin D to treat a mild deficiency — a common ailment — and occasionally uses ibuprofen to treat plantar fasciitis in his right foot. This condition causes him chronic tenderness on the sole of his foot.
Illustration of plantar fasciitis
Read: Obama's brother writes about domestic abuse
He has also taken malarone, an anti-malaria medication, when appropriate to protect him while travelling. Malarone (Malanil), like any anti-malarial drug can have significant side effects, including "severe mental changes", however Obama appears to tolerate the medication well.
The president’s height was measured at 185.9 cm (six feet, one inch) and he weighed in 81 kg (180 pounds).
Remarkably for a man of his age, Obama’s uncorrected vision was 20/20. His total cholesterol levels were 213, which is "borderline high" according to the National Institute of Health guidelines. That's up from Obama's last exam, in October 2011, when his total cholesterol was measured at 193.
Read: Understanding your cholesterol numbers
The exam found "several small benign skin tags" on Obama's neck, but Jackson said there was no evidence of skin cancer.
It might be expected that the stress inherent in the president's job could affect his health. However, at 112/70, his blood pressure remains well within a healthy range. A resting heart rate of 63 is also very impressive, indicating that Obama has maintained a high level of fitness despite his busy schedule.
Watch: Obama is secretly filmed as he works out in a hotel in Poland.
Is Obama one of the States' healthiest presidents ever?
Interestingly, the report notes that Obama, who is approaching his 53rd birthday, has never had any form of surgery and no significant medical history of any kind.
To date 8 US presidents have died in office, though half of those were due to assassinations. Of the others, William Harrison died in 1841 after less than a month in office. Despite only having a mild cold, treatment with opium, leeches and the herb, snakeweed, didn't prevent the president from developing pneumonia, which killed him.
Watch: A look at how leech therapy works
President Taylor died in 1850 of severe gastroenteritis thought to have been bought by a day of gorging on green apples, cherries and ice cold milk.
President Harding died in 1923 of a heart attack, though that did not halt the rumours of poisoning.
Finally, and famously, Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive stroke in 1945, 12 years after taking office.
All in all, it appears that the current president continues to be a very healthy man, despite the rigours of his job. He due to leave office at the end of 2016.
Read more:
Read Barack Obama's full medical report at The New York Times
Obama finally quits smoking
Ronald Reagan's battle with Alzheimers
Barack Obama's brother writes about domestic abuse
Are you a doctor? Register for Healthfinder now!
His findings are based on Obama’s most recent physical exam, which was conducted in May 2014. His previous one was in October 2011.
Read: Ugandan president tested for HIV in public
A former smoker, Obama kicked the smoking habit in 2010, his wife Michelle Obama told reporters in February. 2011. He occasionally chews nicotine gum, Jackson said in the report, released by the White House. Fortunately, his lungs appear to have suffered no serious damage from what was a long term habit.
Read: Lung cancer trigger spotted
“The president continues to focus on healthy lifestyle choices,” Jackson said. “He eats a healthy diet, exercises daily, remains tobacco free, and only drinks alcohol occasionally and in moderation.”
In addition to chewing nicotine gum, Obama takes Vitamin D to treat a mild deficiency — a common ailment — and occasionally uses ibuprofen to treat plantar fasciitis in his right foot. This condition causes him chronic tenderness on the sole of his foot.
Illustration of plantar fasciitis
Read: Obama's brother writes about domestic abuse
He has also taken malarone, an anti-malaria medication, when appropriate to protect him while travelling. Malarone (Malanil), like any anti-malarial drug can have significant side effects, including "severe mental changes", however Obama appears to tolerate the medication well.
The president’s height was measured at 185.9 cm (six feet, one inch) and he weighed in 81 kg (180 pounds).
Remarkably for a man of his age, Obama’s uncorrected vision was 20/20. His total cholesterol levels were 213, which is "borderline high" according to the National Institute of Health guidelines. That's up from Obama's last exam, in October 2011, when his total cholesterol was measured at 193.
Read: Understanding your cholesterol numbers
The exam found "several small benign skin tags" on Obama's neck, but Jackson said there was no evidence of skin cancer.
It might be expected that the stress inherent in the president's job could affect his health. However, at 112/70, his blood pressure remains well within a healthy range. A resting heart rate of 63 is also very impressive, indicating that Obama has maintained a high level of fitness despite his busy schedule.
Watch: Obama is secretly filmed as he works out in a hotel in Poland.
Is Obama one of the States' healthiest presidents ever?
Interestingly, the report notes that Obama, who is approaching his 53rd birthday, has never had any form of surgery and no significant medical history of any kind.
To date 8 US presidents have died in office, though half of those were due to assassinations. Of the others, William Harrison died in 1841 after less than a month in office. Despite only having a mild cold, treatment with opium, leeches and the herb, snakeweed, didn't prevent the president from developing pneumonia, which killed him.
Watch: A look at how leech therapy works
President Taylor died in 1850 of severe gastroenteritis thought to have been bought by a day of gorging on green apples, cherries and ice cold milk.
President Harding died in 1923 of a heart attack, though that did not halt the rumours of poisoning.
Finally, and famously, Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive stroke in 1945, 12 years after taking office.
All in all, it appears that the current president continues to be a very healthy man, despite the rigours of his job. He due to leave office at the end of 2016.
Read more:
Read Barack Obama's full medical report at The New York Times
Obama finally quits smoking
Ronald Reagan's battle with Alzheimers
Barack Obama's brother writes about domestic abuse
Are you a doctor? Register for Healthfinder now!
