May 29, 2008 4:53 pm US/Central
Doctor: Obama In Excellent Health, Quit Smoking
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama speaks at suit maker Thorngate Ltd. Company, May 13, 2008 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is in excellent health, according to a report released today by his doctor. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports.
Dr. David Scheiner is a general internist who's seen Obama for the last 21 years.
We asked Dr. Stephanie Wang, an internist at Rush University Medical Center, to review the report.
"I would say this is the report of a very healthy individual," Wang said. "The key indicators that we look at, both as indicators of current health as well as future predictors of health are excellent, including his blood pressure, which is 90 over 60. It's outstanding. His heart rate is low at 60, which tells me that he runs, he exercises."
Obama's weight is good and his body fat is low. The senator was a smoker for many years, but according to Dr. Scheiner, is having success quitting with Nicorette gum.
Also of concern, Obama's mother died from Ovarian cancer and his grandfather from Prostate cancer, which does put him at a slightly increased risk.
"So in someone like the senator, who does smoke or has smoked in the past, there's a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. He should be seen every one to two years and have these risk factors checked," Wang said.
The senator's last check up in January of 2007 shows his overall cholesterol is 173, which includes triglycerides of 44, an HDL of 68, and LDL, or "good" cholesterol, of 96; all considered excellent for a man of his age.
The senator will be 47 this August.
Here is the full letter from his doctor:
DAVID L. SCHEINER, M.D.Hyde Park Associates in Medicine, Ltd.
1515 East 52nd Place, Chicago, IL 60615
To Whom It May Concern:I am David L. Scheiner, a board certified general internist licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. I am on staff at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Rush University Medical Center. I have been Senator Barack Obama's primary care physician since March 23, 1987. The following is a summary of his medical records for the past 21 years.During that period of time, Senator Obama has been in excellent health. He has been seen regularly for medical checkups and various minor problems such as upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and minor injuries.His family history is pertinent for his mother's death from ovarian cancer and grandfather who died of prostate cancer. His own history included intermittent cigarette smoking. He has quit this practice on several occasions and is currently using Nicorette gum with success. Senator Obama's last medical checkup was on January 15, 2007; he had no complaints. He exercised regularly often jogging three miles. His diet was balanced with good intake of roughage and fluids. A complete review of systems was unremarkable. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 90/60 and pulse 60/minute. His build was lean and muscular with no excess body fat. His physical examination was completely normal.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). Chem 24, urinalysis and CBC were normal, PSA was 0.6, very good. An EKG was normal.In short, his examination showed him to be in excellent health. Senator Barack Obama is in overall good physical and mental health needed to maintain the resiliency required in the Office of President.
Sincerely,David L. Scheiner, M.D.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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