Biden's Health Cleared and is "Fit for Duty"

President Joe Biden is seen aboard Marine One as it travels from the South Lawn of the White House past the Washington Monument on Thursday, February 16, 2023 en route to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).

With the looming announcement of a 2024 re-election bid, President Biden is cleared for duty during his annual physical.

Article by Isabel Cantor, Associate Medical Reporter

WASHINGTON - President Biden remains “fit for duty,” according to an extensive report of his medical history and current medical status. This report was released on Thursday, February 16, following a thorough physical examination by Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician.

The President’s physical was conducted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center located in Bethesda, Maryland. He underwent numerous consultations for a variety of medical specialties, which included optometry, dentistry, orthopedics, podiatry, physical therapy, neurology, cardiology, radiology, and dermatology. Prior to his most recent exam, the last physical exam he received took place in November of 2021.

Overall, the President’s current health is stable, however, a biopsy of an external lesion on his chest was taken and sent out for analysis. Dr. O’Connor mentioned that Biden has had a history of “several localized, non-melanoma skin cancers” that were removed prior to his presidency. This resulted from Biden spending a lot of time outside in the sun in his youth. In addition to this, he was treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy due to multiple small areas on his face of actinic change.

The results of Biden’s biopsy “confirmed that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma,” according to Dr. O’Connor in a brief written report released on Friday, March 3. Thankfully, the lesion was successfully removed, and the area of the biopsy was treated. Even though all of the cancerous tissue was removed, the President will still continue to have dermatology exams as part of his ongoing comprehensive healthcare.

Biden is currently being treated for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib), as he “remains stable on apixaban (Eliquis) for standard anticoagulation,” stated by Dr. O’Connor. His cardiology consultation, electrocardiogram (EKG), and echocardiogram were each evidence of stable A-fib.

President Biden also regularly takes the medication rosuvastatin (Crestor). As reported by Dr. O’Connor, the medication is working well by continuing to keep his lipid levels “remarkably low.” Also, it is important to note that Biden’s hyperlipidemia is stable due to this medication.

Biden’s general physical exam went extremely well. His lungs are clear, his “extremities have a full range of motion,” according to Dr. O’Connor, none of his lymph nodes are enlarged, and his head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat are normal.

All of Biden’s lab tests came back normal, some of them being complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and urinalysis. Also, his Vitamin D level, as well as his magnesium level, were normal.

Fortunately President Biden “remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male,” as stated by Dr. O’Connor. Therefore, he continues to be fit to fulfill his role as President of the United States.