Presidential doctor releases memo on Trump's health to squash rumors of urgent illness
By Mona Austin
File photo. |
President Donald Trump's unscheduled visit to Walter Reed Medical Center over the weekend has raised questions about his health. He underwent part one of an annual physical. Considering he had no public events scheduled, this hospital visit was outside of usual protocols. He tweeted that his health "was great."
The visit has raised suspicions and scrutiny about Trump's well-being. He was accompanied by the White House physician. It has also been less than a year since he was seen for an annual physical. Plus, the hospital did not get the usual notification of a presidential visit. For security preparation, the hospital would normally receive advance notice of a president's appointment. Factor in his tendency to exaggerate the most unfavorable situations as "good" and "perfect" it is understandable as to why some people are not taking his explanation at face value. Some reports flat out pushed speculation aside and said Trump was lying about his health.
By Monday evening the White House Physician Sean Conley attempted to silence those speculating about why the POTUS ventured over to the Maryland-based military hospital unannounced. In a memo to Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham he described the visit as an "interim check up." With permission from Mr. Trump, he released his cholesterol numbers, which are within the desirable range. Pres. Trump's
total cholesterol is 165. "Good" cholesterol is below 200 according to the American Heart Association. Directly addressing rumors that Trump needed to be seen suddenly, he said the president was seen on Saturday due to "scheduling uncertainties."
“This past Saturday afternoon the President traveled up to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a routine, planned interim checkup as part of the regular, primary preventative care he receives throughout the year. Due to scheduling uncertainties, the trip was kept off the record.”
Conley insisted that president did not have an emergency. “Despite some of the speculation, the President has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues.”
“Specifically, he did not undergo any specialized cardiac or neurologic evaluations,” he clarified.
Any exams that were performed would have been done within the span of about 2 hours, as press traveling with the POTUS reported he arrived at the medical facility at 2:47 p.m. and departed shortly before 5:00 p.m., walking out wearing no tie wit his shirt open.
STATEMENT REGARDING THE UNSCHEDULED HOSPITAL VISIT OF PRES. DONALD TRUMP
“Anticipating a very busy 2020, the President is taking advantage of a free weekend here in Washington, D.C., to begin portions of his routine annual physical exam at Walter Reed.”
— Stephanie Grisham
Grisham appeared on Jeanine Piro's FOX News show and explained that the president got a "head start" on a busy year ahead. . ."He is healthy and can be. He is as healthy as any one in the White That man works from 6 a.m. to midnight ."
Dr. Sunjay Gupta of CNN said a previous medical history revealed Trump had a mild heart condition and was slightly obese.