Biden is a healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old, according to his doctor – POLITICO

Questions about age and health have dogged Biden on the campaign trail. He is one of four candidates in their 70s; another is Bernie Sanders, who recently suffered a heart attack. Biden had said he would release his medical records before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. Releasing the records now gives Biden something concrete to reference should questions arise at Thursdays debate.

In all, Biden has four health issues: irregular heartbeat, high concentrations of fat in the blood, acid reflux and seasonal allergies. To treat them, Biden takes three common prescription medications [Eliquis, Crestor, and Dymista] and two common over-the-counter medications [Nexium and Allegra], the doctor wrote.

He has no known medication allergies, the report said. He does not use any tobacco products, does not drink alcohol at all, and he works out at least five days per week.

Biden is so confident of his fitness he challenged an Iowa farmer two weeks ago to a contest of pushups, running or an IQ test after the man said Biden was too damn old.

Biden later said he regretted issuing the push-up challenge.

Bidens biggest medical scare was two aneurysms discovered and treated in 1988. He has never had any recurrences of any aneurysms, the doctor wrote, adding that a 2014 CT angiogram showed no recurrence. In a prior story about Bidens health, medical experts told POLITICO he was healthy and along with the other candidates in their 70s could be considered a superager whose physical and mental health is above average.

Dr. Neal Kassell, who performed the aneurysm surgery on Biden three decades ago, told POLITICO in August that Biden is every bit as sharp as he was 31 years ago."

"I havent seen any change, he added.

Kassell said at the time hes so certain of Bidens health that hes supporting his presidential bid.

I am going to vote for the candidate who I am absolutely certain has a brain that is functioning. And that narrows it down exactly to one, Kassell said.

Bidens other medical issues have included treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a gallbladder that needed removing in 2003, surgery on his sinus and nasal passages needed because of his allergies and mild diverticulosis discovered during a 2008 colonoscopy when a noncancerous growth was removed.

He has no history of diabetes, thyroid disease, hypertension, tobacco use, angina, myocardial infarction, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, any neurologic disorder, or cancer of any kind other than localized non-melanoma skin cancers, his medical report says.

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Biden is a healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old, according to his doctor - POLITICO