Here’s What Donald Trump Revealed About His Health on ‘Dr. Oz’
After a lot speculation about his health – including a early letter declaring that he would be the healthiest president in history – Donald Trump decided to open up about the results of his recent physical on The Dr. Oz Show. “I view this, in a way, as going to my doctor,” he said.
On the show, Trump, who is 70 years old, handed show host Mehmet Oz two pieces of paper — one a report from his recent physical and the other a letter from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “Those are all the tests that were just done last week,” Trump said.
Trump’s campaign released the full letter and the following statement today, “We are pleased to disclose all of the test results which show that Mr. Trump is in excellent health, and has the stamina to endure — uninterrupted — the rigors of a punishing and unprecedented presidential campaign and, more importantly, the singularly demanding job of President of the United States.”
Oz then took Trump through what the show referred to in a press release as “a full review of systems including the following: nervous system; head and neck; hormone levels; cardiovascular health and related medications; respiratory health; gastrointestinal health; bladder or prostate health; dermatological health; history of cancer,” noting that family medical history was also covered.
“If a patient of mine had these records, I’d be really happy,” Oz said.
Here’s what was revealed:
Trump weighs 236 pounds, and says he wants to lose 15. He admitted he’s overweight, and Oz said he’s “slightly overweight.”
He takes a statin for cholesterol.
He doesn’t work out, but he considers his speeches exercise.
His father had Alzheimer’s disease.
His EKG and echocardiogram are normal, meaning there is no evidence that he’s had a heart attack.
He recently had a colonoscopy with no polyps.
He had a normal prostate exam, and his testosterone levels are normal.
He gets screened for cancer every year.
Morton Tavel, MD, a clinical professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and author of Health Tips, Myths, and Tricks: A Physician’s Advice, tells Yahoo Beauty that Trump’s health seems fairly good for someone his age, with one glaring exception: He’s nearly obese by BMI standards.
Trump is 6 feet 3 inches, and, at 236 pounds, that would make his BMI 29.5 — just shy of the “obese” category, which starts at a BMI of 30. He’s not alone: According to national government statistics, more than two-thirds of Americans are considered overweight or obese.
Here’s why that’s concerning, according to Tavel: At his current rate, he has a higher risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. “Even without these complications, he does face at least modestly increased health risks such as cancer of the colon and gallbladder,” Tavel says.
Trump’s cholesterol medication is typically used for people who have a greater risk of developing heart disease, Tavel says, although he seems to have it under control.
Dr. Oz and Donald Trump discussed his health records. (Photo: Sony Pictures Television)
Trump’s normal testosterone levels aren’t just bragging rights: S. Adam Ramin, MD, surgeon and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, tells Yahoo Beauty that men with normal testosterone levels typically have better stamina throughout the day than those with low testosterone, which can make a man feel sluggish and depressed. Normal testosterone levels can also help lower a person’s risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or osteoporosis, Ramin says.
Trump’s normal prostate exam results generally mean that “it’s highly unlikely there’s cancer in the prostate,” Ramin says. “The risk of prostate cancer is low.”
Since his father had Alzheimer’s disease, Trump’s risk of developing the disease as well would typically be higher than that of the general population. However, Ramin points out that Fred Trump developed the disease in his 80s, which puts his son’s risk back down to that of the general population.
Trump is smart to get regular colonoscopies, but the annual cancer screening is “generally overrated,” Tavel says.
As for the speeches-as-exercise claims, Albert Matheny, RD, co-owner of SoHo Strength Lab in New York and registered dietitian for Promix Nutrition, tells Yahoo that there’s some truth to it. “Yes, it requires some cardiovascular ability and it may be getting your heart rate up if you are excited and gesturing, but you are not using major muscle groups in a dynamic way,” he says. “You do sweat but still need to move your muscles and move them in full ranges of motion — standing and actively talking doesn’t do this.”
Overall, experts say Trump seems to be a healthy person — especially for a 70-year-old.
Read the full text of the letter:
Key Details of Hillary Clinton’s Health Record, Explained
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