Doctor: Obama in ‘excellent health’

Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) released a statement from his doctor on Thursday stating that the Democratic presidential front-runner has been “in excellent health” over the last 20 years.

The letter from Dr. David L. Scheiner says Obama had his last checkup in January of 2007. Its release comes less than a week after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gave reporters a chance to sift through his medical records.

Obama’s health has not been a major question, but the 71-year-old GOP nominee’s has. McCain has had several bouts with skin cancer, but his records included no smoking guns, and his doctors said he was also in “excellent health.”

Scheiner noted that Obama, 46, has been an “intermittent” cigarette smoker who has failed in previous attempts to quit. He said Obama is currently having success in that regard by using Nicorette nicotine gum.

Obama pledged to quit smoking when he began his campaign for president.
 
“His build was lean and muscular with no excess body fat,” Scheiner wrote. “His physical examination was completely normal.

“In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health. Sen. Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President.”

Scheiner, who said he has been Obama’s doctor for 21 years, also detailed various test scores for Obama, including his blood pressure, and determined all of them were either normal or very good.

He noted that Obama often jogs three miles to stay in shape and had no complaints during his last checkup.

Obama does have a family history of cancer, as his mother died of ovarian cancer and he had a grandfather who died of prostate cancer.

When Obama has had medical issues, Scheiner said, they have been minor.

“He has been seen regularly for medical checkups and various minor problems such as upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor injuries,” Scheiner wrote.