Trump’s Medical Check-Up: Why Doctors Recommend More Exercise and Weight Loss

As US President Donald Trump approaches his 80th birthday in June, questions about his health and fitness for office continue to attract public attention.

The White House sought to address those concerns through a medical memorandum prepared by White House physician Dr Sean Barbabella following Trump's third in-person medical examination in 13 months.

After reviewing the president's condition, Dr Barbabella concluded, "He is fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief."

The assessment was released three days after Trump underwent a comprehensive examination at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre. According to the report, doctors conducted a broad range of tests to evaluate his heart health and overall physical condition.

The memorandum states that Trump weighs 238 pounds and has a resting heart rate of 73 beats per minute.

What health issues were identified?

While the report described most clinical findings as normal, doctors noted a few minor concerns.

According to the memorandum, "Slight lower leg swelling was noted, with improvement from last year." The report also referenced visible discolouration on Trump's hands, describing it as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention."

These observations come after months of speculation about Trump's health, fuelled by photographs and videos showing swelling in his feet, ankles and calves, along with bruising on his hands.

The White House had previously attributed the hand discolouration to repeated handshaking and aspirin use, rejecting online speculation that it was linked to more serious medical issues.

How did Trump perform on cognitive testing?

The medical report also highlighted Trump's neurological evaluation.

According to the memorandum, the president underwent standard cognitive screenings as part of a detailed neurological assessment and achieved a perfect score of 30 out of 30.

The findings align with Trump's longstanding claims about his cognitive health. He has repeatedly argued that he performs exceptionally well on cognitive examinations and has often pointed to those results when responding to critics.

The report further stated that Trump "remains up to date on all appropriate preventive screenings and immunisations" and that his routine cancer screenings, cardiovascular assessments and metabolic evaluations remain current.

Why did doctors recommend weight loss and more exercise?

Despite giving Trump a clean bill of health, Dr Barbabella recommended several preventive measures designed to improve his long-term wellness.

The physician advised dietary changes, increased daily physical activity, a switch to low-dose aspirin and continued weight loss.

The recommendations reflect a broader focus on preventive care rather than treatment of any serious medical condition.

The memorandum also confirmed that Trump continues to take medications related to cholesterol management and cardiovascular prevention.

What has Trump said about his health?

Trump has consistently defended his physical condition and often expressed frustration with recurring questions about his health.

During an extensive interview with The Wall Street Journal earlier this year, he reportedly opened an "impromptu phone call" by saying, "Let's talk about health again for the 25th time."

Discussing his long-term aspirin use, Trump acknowledged taking larger-than-recommended doses for roughly 25 years and admitted that the practice frequently causes bruising.

Defending the routine, he said, "They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart."

When asked about claims that he appeared to fall asleep during public events, Trump rejected the allegations and said he occasionally closed his eyes because he found it "relaxing."

Why has Trump's health become a political issue?

Health and age have become major topics in American politics, particularly as Trump serves as the oldest person to hold the US presidency.

The issue has drawn comparisons with former President Joe Biden, whose age and health were also heavily scrutinised during the 2024 election cycle.

Biden eventually withdrew from the presidential race, and his office later disclosed that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.

Trump initially offered supportive comments but later renewed criticism of his predecessor, accusing him of failing to fully disclose his health condition while in office.

The latest medical report appears aimed at reassuring the public that Trump remains capable of carrying out presidential responsibilities while addressing some of the questions that have persisted regarding his age, physical condition and long-term health.

(With inputs from ANI)