Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders released a doctor's letter Thursday saying the Vermont senator is in "overall very good health," though he has been treated for a number of ailments over his 74 years.
"You are in overall very good health and active in your professional work, and recreational lifestyle without limitation," says the letter dated Jan. 20 and signed by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, whose office has treated Sanders for 26 years, reported Politico.
Sanders, the oldest in the 2016 race, was last seen for a physical examination on Nov. 18 and had normal readings for blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol and blood count. His electrocardiogram was also normal. Monahan also wrote that Sanders, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 179 pounds, has no history of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for most people in the United States.
The doctor's note said Sanders has previously been treated for "medical conditions including" gout, mildly high cholesterol, laryngitis resulting from esophageal reflux, lumbar strain and complete removal of superficial skin tumors.
He has undergone surgery to repair his "left and right inguinal hernias by laparoscopic technique" and to remove a vocal cord cyst.
Sanders currently takes a daily dose of levothryoxine, which is commonly used to treat hypothyroidism, and intermittently uses indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug often prescribed to reduce joint pain caused by gout and arthritis.
Sanders does not smoke, uses alcohol "infrequently," recently had a normal colonoscopy and is up to date on vaccinations, the doctor wrote.
If Sanders takes the White House, he would be 75 upon inauguration and become the oldest president elected in U.S. history, according to USA Today.
Candidates are not required to release their medical history, but major ones often do in order to reassure voters. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sanders' main rival, released her medical records last July. She has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and seasonal pollen allergies and takes a daily anticoagulant to protect against blood clots, reported NPR. Her doctor concluded that she "is in excellent physical condition and fit to serve as President of the United States."
Republican front-runner Donald Trump's physician said last month that he would be "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency," as HNGN previously reported.
