Understanding Biden’s Health: White House and Doctor Reports
Is President Biden in good health? This question has been circulating in the recent news cycle, especially after his debate performance last month raised concerns even among top Democrats. The White House has been transparent about the president’s health status, ensuring the public that he has never been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or any other degenerative neurological disorder.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre disclosed that President Biden has undergone a neurological exam three times since taking office, as part of his annual physicals at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. These examinations were conducted in November 2021, February 2023, and February 2024. Regarding the recent spikes in questions about the president’s health, Jean-Pierre clarified, “He has seen a neurologist three times, not more than that.”
Late Monday night, the White House revealed that Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist from Walter Reed, conducted each of President Biden’s neurological exams during his annual checkups. However, the information shared in the physician’s note to the president, Kevin O’Connor, did not offer substantial new insights into the president’s current health, essentially reiterating details from his last physical in February.
Recent reports on public White House visitor logs indicated that Dr. Cannard made multiple visits to the White House Medical Unit throughout the last year, leading to an intense exchange between Jean-Pierre and reporters in the briefing room. Dr. Cannard’s expertise lies in movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, and his visits were attributed to providing support to military personnel assigned to White House operations who may face neurological issues.
President Biden’s physical reports consistently highlighted that there were no signs of cerebellar or central neurological disorders in his examinations. The evaluations performed by O’Connor emphasized the absence of any indicators of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other similar conditions associated with neurological impairments.
While the president underwent neurological exams during his physicals, it was clarified that he did not participate in extensive cognitive tests. Differentiating between the two, neurological exams are basic assessments of physical functions like balance and coordination, whereas neurocognitive testing delves deeper into cognitive abilities like memory and communication.
Challenges with the president’s gait were noted in all three reports, with degenerative spine changes attributed to his stiffened walk. The reports specifically mentioned spondylosis, a form of spinal osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy causing numbness and discomfort in his feet.
In addition to these conditions, President Biden’s health reports mentioned obstructive sleep apnea, which became a new diagnosis since his previous physical. His reports also acknowledged his non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a heart condition characterized by irregular rhythms that remain asymptomatic.
The president’s medical history includes a significant event from 1988 when he underwent surgeries for two life-threatening brain aneurysms. Despite the severity of the situation, both surgeries were successful, marking a crucial chapter in his health journey. President Biden continues to receive medical care regularly, including verbal check-ins with his doctor during his exercise routines and annual physicals.
Although concerns surrounding the president’s health persist, the White House’s commitment to transparency and providing regular updates on his condition remains unwavering. As the debate on his health unfolds, the American public seeks reassurance and clarity, relying on accurate information to form informed opinions about the president’s physical well-being.
