Obama Doc: Candidate in ‘Excellent’ Health
EmailABC News’ Dr. Tim Johnson, Susan Wagner, and Sunlen Miller Report: Democratic frontrunner Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., has been given a clean bill of health to run for president.
According to a memo released to reporters from his primary care physician, Obama’s health has been "excellent" and overall in "good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President."
Dr. David L. Scheiner, MD on staff at the University of Chicago Hospital and Rush University Medical Center has been Obama’s primary care physician since March of 1987 and completed a review of Obama’s records for the last 21 years.
Scheiner says that Obama has been seen regularly for checkups, his last being in January of 2007, and treated for minor problems like upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor injuries.
"A complete review of systems was unremarkable," Scheiner writes, "his build was lean and muscular with no excess body fat. His physical examination was complete normal."
Obama’s cholesterol levels are excellent, both for good cholesterol HDL and bad cholesterol LDL.
"Laboratory studies included triglycerides of 44(normal under 150), cholesterol 173 (normal under 200), HDL 68 (normal over 40), and LDL 96 (normal under 130)," Scheiner’s note cites.
Obama, 46, is known for his morning workouts and healthy diet and most recently was ranked among the "Men’s Fitness 25 Most Fittest Men in America."
But Obama is also a well documented smoker – only recently giving up the addiction to run for president. The report does not mention any medications Obama is taking except for Nicorette gum.
"His own history included intermittent cigarette smoking," Scheiner says, "He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success."
Obama has admitted that during the course of the campaign he’s snuck a few cigarettes, "I fell off the wagon a couple times during the course of it, and then was able to get back on," he told Chris Matthews, "But it is a struggle like everything else."
Obama regularly chews Nicorette gum while not at public events, and Scheiner’s report makes note that this remedy has worked with "success."
The report mentions Obama’s history of cancer in his family: his grandfather died of prostate cancer, and his mother died of ovarian cancer. Obama’s screening for prostate cancer was very low according to the report.
The release of Senator Obama’s medical records today follows the release of the presumptive nominee, Senator John McCain’s last week.
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He gave up smoking while running for president? How in the world can anyone do that?
That’s more impressive than being able to write essays in kindergarten. I might vote for him on this basis alone.
Posted by: Paul | May 29, 2008, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Obama’s in good health?
AAAAAAAAAAH, alls right with the world!
Until he get in the white house.
Know Obama…..NO OBAMA
No Hillary…..NO VOTE
Posted by: char19145 | May 29, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
All I want to know is why is it important for the American people to know what his triglycerides are? He’s healthy…Period…end of comment. We don’t need to know his personal details. Besides all that, I don’t care how healthy he is, I’m not going to vote for him anyway.
Posted by: ARSailormom | May 29, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Obama might be in excellent health, but Obama-campaign is in serious trouble. Today’s CNN article exposes what we already know, he runs hard and dirty. There is nothing presidential about Barack Obama, and there is no reason for Hillary Clinton to bow for this tug.
When Pelosi rejects notion superdelegates should exercise personal judgement, she is in fact changing the rules by word of mouth. Superdelegates may not listen, but Pelosi threatens and many superdelegates are frighten for their jobs. Shame on her!
Clinton is a straight shooter: Clinton must argue case at convention, a debate Obama cannot run away from.
Posted by: S. Johnsen | May 29, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
“he gave up smoking several times”
isn’t that like being a little bit pregnant?
he still smokes in other words… he’s weak
Posted by: trettine | May 29, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Why CNN reported just now after pampering him for a very long time.
Posted by: catleya | May 29, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
He is so good at pretending.
Posted by: golfgirlusa | May 29, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE DIAGNOSED HIS JUDGEMENT, BECAUSE IT’S EVIDENT THAT’S A LITTLE OFF.
Posted by: Eric | May 29, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Obama’s campaign may appear clean, but I;m sure, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, something is going to give. Just hope it gives out before Hillary is pushed out of this campaign. Isn;t the Rezko verdict due soon??? Besides, if is that perfect, why hasn’t he been cannonized yet???
Posted by: char10145 | May 29, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
it is obvious who all of you are in the tank for
this election has made everyone hyper sensitive
wahhhhhh hes healthy how dare he
i bet hes not really as young as he says he is
i bet he chews two pieces of gum at the same time
what a liar
waht a cheat
hillary would never smoke
mccain is so conscious about the environment he wants to blow up the sun to protect his fragile skin
you are all getting soft
maybe you should start asking questions about your own self worth
LOL
Posted by: bhrandon | May 29, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Obama just did so small thing, to quit smoking right before presidential campaign. He was liked by so many people.
Hillary did so many things, had so many achievements for so many years, some people only remember her short comings.
Why some people so stupid, to like such a fake guy, and to hate such a brilliant lady?
Posted by: golfgirlusa | May 29, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
Those of you talking about sleaze. I’m hhappy to see that obama has what it takes to go up against the most corrupt and sleazy set of politicians ever McCane, Bush and Rove
Posted by: al213 | May 29, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
if something happened to obama even if hillary was out of the campaign she coudl come in
sheesh you guys are losing it
also, lets think here, hillary probably pays a butt load of cash to people who are pouring over every inch of every nook and cranny trying to dig up anything on obama to give her a leg up
she has yet to do it… and you know she is desperately trying
you all took my RFK comment the wrong way!
oh my god obama is an elitist he said BITTER and CLING
cant take hillary out of context but she can take obama out of context and run ads day and night to try to destroy him…
guess it didnt work
6 days and then we lock horns with dirty mcsame
Posted by: bhrandon | May 29, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
Pelosi wants to change the rules when she denies superdelegates should exercise personal judgement. It is why superdelegates are there, to vote from conviction. But Pelosi threatens and many are frighten for their jobs if they don’t follow suit in June.
Dems Leadership may like control, but the Obama-people are changing rules to fit their purpose, and marginalize the one’s they don’t like. The rule is superdelegates are free agents, they vote at the convention.
Stop muscling democracy!
Posted by: S. Johnsen | May 29, 2008, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
hillary accomplishments? like her campaign?
or like her universal health care fiasco she handled during HER HUSBANDS presidency?
or how she has been such a massively strong advocate for womens rights…. oh wait… bill banged someone in the oval office
lol waht exactly has she done?
why we have to accept all the good things from her HUSBANDS PRESIDENCY as part of HER CAMPAIGN and QUALIFICATIONS
but any thing that is bad is either
someone elses fault or doesnt apply to her because she is running not her husband
LOl
i love her accomplishments
and she wont admit it but everyone else knows she blew that universal healthcare proposal because she couldnt listen to other people
now she thought she was going ot be nominated by default because of her name
and lost out
i guess americas elections still have integrity when a virtually unknown can run against a political juggernaut like the clintons and win…
Posted by: bhrandon | May 29, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
I’m glad to see that Obama is in Excellent health. You need to be in good shape to be president. Can you imagine if the president was over 70? Always having to take naps, forgetting what he was talking about, joking about starting to bomb Russia, trying to shake the coattails of the guy who started an unnecessary war and killed the economy. I’m so glad that our next president is going to be young, full of energy, and with enough common sense to know that this war wasn’t necessary. Obama 2008 will be Great!!!
Posted by: pt | May 29, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
No mention in the article about THC and cocaine use. What a puff piece. No excess bodyfat, yea right. The picture of him with his shirt off shows a good 20 pounds of extra fat. I wonder if he can even run a mile with his smokers lungs. We know he can bowl a 37.
Posted by: sally | May 29, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Obama’s mother died at 50 and Mccain’s mother died at 98. Obama’s father also died a few years ago.
From their gene and family history, Obama may die in first term and Mccain can be healthy in two terms
Posted by: Max | May 29, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
Hey we can still vote for Ron Paul!!! Ron Paul 08!!!! Get these other people out of here!!!
Posted by: Hmm | May 29, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Wonderful news Obama. Congratulations on quitting smoking. Now we know about your mental health? Why is it that a POW that was tortured has no mention of what I’m sure has to be PTSD in his records, and no Psych Meds listed. No human could endure that without some mental health issues. The psychiatrist only commented that John McCain was pleasant. Give me a break. That old, demented, whacko is lucky he can remember where he lives. He’s going to wig out and kill us all if he’e elected.
Posted by: Debra | May 29, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Hope his doctor has more credibility than his pastor!
Posted by: ch | May 29, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Since when is Obama’s former Cocaine use healthy? Permanent brain damage DOES result from even one time drug use. Bush was also a Cocaine user. We have seen his questionable judgment.
Obama self-congratulates himself on his “good judgment.” When does it begin? Before he repeatedly lit up the crack pipe or after Rev. Wright? Before his racist comments against “typical white people” or after his “bitter, small town American” comments?
Perhaps neuropsych evaluations should be conducted to see what led these powerful/weak men to experiment with drugs in the first place. Escaping from reality does reveal character. It shows a lack of it.
Obama, the powder, uh.. I mean the power to change. Hillary, not cool but smart enough to truly help the middle class.
Posted by: Carlos | May 29, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Why did it take mc-more-war to denounce the hagee endorsement? I’m sure this will hurt him in the fall will the ever important Catholic vote. Obama 2008!
Posted by: pt | May 29, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
I meant to say:
Why did it take mc-more-war so long to denounce the hagee endorsement? I’m sure this will hurt him in the fall with the ever important Catholic vote. Obama 2008!
Posted by: pt | May 29, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
pt…Hillary has also backed off from the 6 month deal ,because both know we want to do this in the most expeditious but safe way for our troops..
Posted by: truthtell | May 29, 2008, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
Wow, the hate emanating from these blogs is mind-boggling (and mostly from Clinton supporters). I wonder what someone from another country would think of America if they just read this blog. I am usually a participant in this exercise in free speech, but I feel like I just opened a door and saw monsters inside. I think I will shut it again quickly. You guys probably ought to get back to work before you pop a blood vessel. Or go pet a kitten or something. Wow.
Posted by: louielouie | May 29, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
I don’t understand why everyone is hating on Obama. Out of all the candidates, he has been the most honest, and trustworthy. Clinton lied about sniper shooting in Bosnia, what else would she lie about. You people are clueless, you all are used to being lied to. I, personally, am relieved to see a politician so brutally honest. I think it ticks you all off that a black man is actually the presumptive nominee. Would it kill us if we had someone young and vibrant instead of an old man who looks like he’ll croak any minute or a woman who plays like she is in touch with reality?
Posted by: Karen Williams | May 29, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Obama has been associated with cheap thugs like Rev Wright, Farrakhan, and other extremists. His mentality is questionable!
Posted by: Lonestar state | May 29, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
louielouie,
…and I am not surprised to hear that the comments from Obama’s website are full of hatredthat people thought they were visiting one of Osama Bin Laden ‘s group!
Posted by: Lonestar state | May 29, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
I just read every comment. I cannot believe the ignorance I have just witnessed. Your spelling and your grammar are just appalling. Your political savvy is non-existent. Your sexual innuendos about McCain are absolutely uncalled for and not even funny. If this is a representation of our voters…….God help us. No wonder our country is going to hell! Your ignorance can be fixed. But if you all are just stupid, then the USA is in deep trouble. None of the candidates that we have running for president are qualified. They are all out to destroy this country. What we need to do is only let informed citizens vote. This is a very serious decision. Millionaires should not be the only ones who run for president. We need to get back to basics. Washington egos need to be destroyed. Perhaps another American Revolution is in order. God Save America, Please!!!!
P.S. Not everyone on this blog site slaughtered the English language.
Posted by: former teacher | May 29, 2008, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
I’ll bet Obama has a nice six pack. He must work out. It will be good to see a smart and fair and handsome president.
Obama ’08!
Posted by: Healthy | May 29, 2008, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
pt wrote:
“Obama lost the Jewish vote with his lie about Auschwitz.”
Have you no shame? He shared a painful family story related to PTSD and got the name of the concentration camp wrong, but the story is essentially true.
His great uncle Charles Thomas Payne was one of the soldiers who liberated Ohrdruf, a subcamp to Buchenwald. The horror he witnessed has been descibed by, among others, field marshal Montgomery.
Obama’s story has been verified by Charles’ son (see PolitiFact.com/St. Petersburg Times), his brother (see the CNN Wire blog) as well as Raymond E. Kitchell, the WWII veteran that runs the http://www.89infdivww2.org-site.
The way the republicans have tried to twist this story – even by downplaying the horrors that took place at Ohrdruf – to portray Obama as a liar, is beyond words.
Posted by: El_Pajaro | May 29, 2008, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
When I read through these comments, I find that a lot of them are completely absurd. For instance, many claim that Senator Obama is mentally ill. I find it strange that a person can be considered mentally ill simply because he points out all of the things that many American people already know in their hearts but are too ashamed, or stubborn, to admit for themselves.
For those that say he is weak because he struggles with quitting smoking: Smoking is an extremely difficult habit to overcome, especially for those who have been doing it for many years. The fact that he continues to try to quit smoking while running for the highest corporate CEO position in the world is quite admirable.
Clinton is a woman with no credibility and is extremely dangerous for America.
McCain is a thicker, older, more sarcastic, and conceited version of George Bush and is even more dangerous for America.
I am not an Obama supporter.
I am neither Democrat, nor Republican.
I am an American in the United States of America.
Ron Paul 2008
Posted by: Troy | May 30, 2008, 12:47 am 12:47 am
Wonder how long he had to stay away from the C LINES before he went in for his physical?
Obama is a corrupt and dangerous man. He has no credibility, intergity, judgment or experience for the job. He is an empty suit with an empty resume.
Posted by: Marie | May 30, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
Besides having a history of hard and soft drug use Sen. Barack Obama has been a heavy smoker for decades! Accoding to the New York Times, he has struggled to give up smoking in the past and and at present. He is right now frighting a serious nicotine craving. Considering his family history of cancer and his own long history of smoking, if elected president he’s carrying far more serious helth rish to the White House than John McCain’s age factor!
Posted by: simonnurkle | May 31, 2008, 11:00 am 11:00 am