Donald Trump’s Health Report: Cardiovascular Imaging Normal

US President Donald Trump has been declared to be in "excellent overall health" after undergoing a thorough medical examination, as stated by his White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella. The examination included advanced imaging of the president’s heart and abdomen, which returned results that were described as "perfectly normal".

The memo, dated Monday, follows an MRI scan that Trump referenced on Sunday, where he expressed uncertainty about which part of his body was examined.

This announcement comes amidst ongoing discussions among Democrats regarding Trump's age, particularly as he embarks on a second term in office. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and others have called for transparency in the results of the president’s medical evaluations.

Captain Barbabella noted that the president was subjected to a physical examination in October, which is considered beneficial for men in his age group in assessing cardiovascular and abdominal health. According to the physician's memo, there were no signs of arterial narrowing that could impede blood flow, nor were there any abnormalities detected in Trump's heart or major blood vessels. Overall, the assessment indicated that Trump's cardiovascular system is in "excellent health".

Additionally, the abdominal imaging results revealed that all functions were within normal limits, with no acute or chronic concerns identified. Barbabella referred to the imaging as standard practice for an executive physical for someone of Trump's age.

While on Air Force One, Trump stated he was comfortable with the release of his MRI results. However, when queried about the specific body part examined, he admitted, "I have no idea. It was just an MRI - what part of the body? It wasn't the brain, because I took a cognitive test and I aced it."

Trump's previous annual physical took place in April, and he mentioned receiving an MRI at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October. The White House described this visit as part of his routine check-up but did not clarify the reason for the MRI or specify which area it targeted.

The purpose of the MRI, as outlined in Barbabella's memo, was preventative, aimed at identifying potential health issues early, confirming overall health, and ensuring the president maintains long-term vitality and function. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt presented the details during a news briefing, emphasising the administration's commitment to transparency.

Two medical professionals who reviewed the memo for the BBC pointed out that MRIs are not typically standard practice for preventive care. Dr. Carla Perissinotto, a geriatrics specialist at the University of California San Francisco, noted that some patients choose to undergo tests that fall outside standard guidelines based on age.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Linder, chief of general internal medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted that the memo did not clarify whether an MRI or computed tomography (CT) scan had been performed, complicating the understanding of the procedures undertaken. He remarked that routine anatomical imaging, whether MRI or CT, is usually discouraged in asymptomatic patients due to the potential risks outweighing the benefits.

Moreover, Dr. Linder stated that it is uncommon for results from executive physicals to come back "perfectly normal" without any signs of coronary calcification.

Trump has previously been observed with swollen ankles and bruising on his right hand, and there have been instances where he appeared to doze off during meetings. In July, the White House announced that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition affecting the veins that can lead to swelling in the legs.