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Medical examination finds Obama ‘fit for duty’
by Samia Sehgal - March 1, 2010 - comments
Smoking is one health issue with the president that he has not been able to combat despite serious attempts.
Barack Obama, who underwent his first physical fitness examination since becoming the president of the United States, came out with good results except for minor concerns regarding his smoking habit and cholesterol levels.
Following the 90-minute exam at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the doctors declared the president to be fit.
“The President is in excellent health and ‘fit for duty.’ All clinical data indicate that he will remain so for the duration of his Presidency,” wrote Capt. Jeffrey Kuhlman, the Chief White House physician, in his report.
Also, the doctor said that Obama may go without another medical check-up until August 2011, after he turns 50.
The president is already following a healthy lifestyle; he eats in modest portions and is quite regular with his workouts. Obama also takes up sports like basketball and golf sometimes.
Cholesterol concerns
Obama reportedly took all “age-appropriate” screening tests and most of them gave satisfactory results. However, the president’s cholesterol levels caused some concern to the doctor.
The LDL or bad cholesterol level in Obama’s body was 138, while the HDL or good cholesterol was recorded to be 68. Borderline high for bad cholesterol is usually 130.
His total cholesterol level has gone up from 173 in his last medical check-up; it was recorded to be 209, which is also borderline high.
The president has been asked to make some modifications in his diet to counter the rising cholesterol levels in his body.
Unable to combat nicotine cravings
Smoking is another health issue with the president that he has not been able to combat despite serious attempts.
The president has been taking a “nicotine replacement therapy” but has been unable to kick his smoking habit completely. Last June, during a news conference, Obama had said that his nicotine craving is “95 percent cured" but “there are times when I mess up.”
Obama has admitted taking nicotine gum to cut down on the cigarettes, and the doctors advised him to carry on with his efforts to keep off the puff.
A CT-colonography was also carried out, and it found the president free of any colon cancer.
Another minor ailment for Obama was chronic tendinitis in his left leg, for which he occasionally takes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Standing tall at 6-foot-1, Obama weighs 180 pounds. His blood pressure and pulse rate were both recorded to be normal. The president has 20/20 vision in both eyes.