Getty Bernie Sanders in 'overall very good health,' doctor writes

Bernie Sanders is “in overall very good health,” the attending Senate physician said in a letter released Thursday summarizing the Vermont senator’s medical evaluation.

“You are in overall very good health and active in your professional work, and recreational lifestyle without limitation,” Senate attending physician Dr. Brian P. Monahan wrote in a letter dated Jan. 20. The Senate office has treated Sanders for more than two decades.


Sanders’ last physical examination came Nov. 18, and most of the results were normal. Sanders has been treated for conditions including gout, hypothyroidism and a removal of superficial skin tumors, but he has no history of cardiovascular disease, the report said.

He has undergone surgeries to “repair left and right side inguinal hernias,” according to the report, and “a right true vocal cord cyst excision.” He also had an elective outpatient hernia repair procedure done late November, after his last examination.

His current medications include daily levothyroxine and sporadic use of indomethacin, which is typically used for joint stiffness caused by arthritis and gout, among others.

Should Sanders win the White House, he would be 75 upon his inauguration, making him the oldest president the U.S. has ever elected. During CNN’s Democratic forum Monday, moderator Chris Cuomo misstated Sanders’ age. “I’m going on 75!” he corrected, before adding that his health records were on a table at home and would be released before next week’s caucuses.

“I have been blessed with good health and good endurance,” he said. “And there's nothing in the medical records that is going to surprise anybody. And we will get them out as soon as possible.”

His primary rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, released her health records in July. Clinton’s physician, Dr. Lisa Bardack, noted that Clinton experiences hypothyroidism, seasonal allergies and takes blood thinners to protect against clots. But, she added, Clinton “is in excellent physical condition and fit to serve as President of the United States.”

A Clinton surrogate, Correct the Record PAC founder David Brock, reportedly planned to hit the airwaves this month to pressure Sanders to release his records before Monday’s caucuses.

Republican poll leader Donald Trump released his records last month. Trump would “be the healthiest individual elected to the presidency,” his doctor asserted.

Gabriel Debenedetti contributed to this story.

