President Donald Trump passed his latest physical with mostly flying colors, but his doctor handed him some homework on the way out.
The White House released a medical memo Friday from Captain Sean Barbabella, Donald Trump’s personal physician, just weeks before the president turns 80. Trump had visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier that Tuesday for his yearly checkup.
Posting on Truth Social after the appointment, Trump wrote: “Just finished my six month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY.”
“Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House.”
One notable concern
He did not provide any additional details about the examination, which marks his third medical evaluation in the past 13 months and his fourth checkup since returning to office.
By most measures, the report painted a healthy picture. Barbabella documented strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function.
On the cognitive side, Trump scored a 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, landing him “within normal limits.” Barbabella’s bottom line: Trump is “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State” and is in “excellent health” overall.
There was, however, one notable concern: Trump’s weight.
Donald Trump’s weight
The president currently tips the scale at 238 lbs – up 14 lbs from where he stood just last year. Barbabella therefore counseled Trump on adjusting his diet and getting more physical activity into his daily routine. The president is also on medication to manage his cholesterol.
According to Tyla, Barbabella wrote: “Preventive counselling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss.”
The report also tackled some of the more visible health questions that have followed Trump in public — including a recurring bruise on the back of his hands. In recent months, a series of large bruises on the back of his hand, coupled with an alleged, newly-developed habit of falling asleep during meetings, has caused some concern. Some people also commented on a recent neck rash, and visibly swollen ankles.
“A common and benign effect of aspirin therapy”
Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency back in July of last year. The condition causes blood to pool in the lower legs when veins can’t push it back up to the heart efficiently. Barbabella acknowledged there’s still “slight lower leg swelling,” but said it’s showing “improvement from last year.”
As for the hand bruising, Barbabella attributed it to the aspirin Trump takes for cardiovascular prevention. For someone shaking as many hands as the president does, he said the marks are “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking” and called them “a common and benign effect of aspirin therapy.”
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