U.S. President Joe Biden, who underwent a physical examination and colonoscopy on Friday, remains fit for duty and able to execute his responsibilities without any accommodations, his physician said in letter released by the White House.
鈥淧resident Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the president, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,鈥� Dr. Kevin O鈥機onnor, the president鈥檚 physician wrote in his summary.
O鈥機onnor said the colonoscopy found a polyp that appeared to be benign and was easily removed.
鈥淗istologic evaluation is anticipated to be completed early next week,鈥� the physician said. 鈥淭he president has never had colon cancer.鈥�
O鈥機onnor highlighted two areas that he said deserved investigation 鈥� specifically Biden鈥檚 recent 鈥渢hroat clearing鈥� and what he described as a stiffened gait.
O鈥機onnor wrote that Biden is experiencing 鈥渢hroat clearing鈥� with 鈥渋ncreasing frequency and severity鈥� and said that he attributed it to a digestive disorder known as gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD.
O鈥機onnor noted Biden鈥檚 broken foot he suffered roughly a year ago could contribute to the awkward walk, but he more broadly said Biden was dealing with spinal arthritis and 鈥減eripheral neuropathy,鈥� or some loss of sensation in the feet.
鈥淭he President鈥檚 gait appears to be perceptibly stiffer and less fluid than it has been in the past. He does specifically acknowledge early morning stiffness that improves throughout the day,鈥� the doctor said.
The document contained a detailed accounting of the physical exam, including his height of 5 feet 11.65 inches; his weight of 184 pounds; and his blood pressure of 120/70.
The president takes five medications, O鈥機onnor wrote, including Crestor to address high cholesterol; Dymista nasal spray for allergies; Allegra for allergies; Eliquis as a blood thinner; and Pepcid to treat GERD.
The last extensive update on Biden鈥檚 medical state came in December 2019, ahead of the presidential campaign, when the same doctor described him as 鈥渁 healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.鈥�
Biden, who turns 79 on Saturday, had not released a full report on his health since.
Biden received a routine colonoscopy Friday while at Walter Reed. The process, which required anesthesia, meant that he temporarily transferred power to聽Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first woman to assume presidential power for 85 minutes Friday morning.