Donald Trump’s Health Revealed: Medication Controls High Cholesterol
A report released by White House physician Sean Barbella has provided detailed information on the health of Donald Trump, the oldest person to ever be elected US president. According to the report, Trump, 78, controls high cholesterol with medication and has elevated blood pressure, but is "fully fit" to execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief and Head of State. The report was published two days after Trump underwent a routine physical examination.
The Guardian has learned that Trump’s high cholesterol is "well-controlled" with two medications, rosuvastatin and ezetimibe, which are generic names of the branded drugs Crestor and Zetia. These medications have improved Trump’s cholesterol levels over time. In January 2018, Trump’s total cholesterol was 223, but it decreased to 196 in early 2019, and further dropped to 167 in 2020. According to Barbella’s report, Trump’s current total cholesterol level is 140, which is below the ideal threshold of 200.
In addition to his cholesterol levels, Trump’s blood pressure was recorded at 128 over 74, which is considered elevated. Elevated blood pressure can lead to high blood pressure, or hypertension, unless steps are taken to control the condition. The report also noted that Trump has scarring on his right ear, resulting from a gunshot wound he suffered during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last year.
Barbella’s report also references Trump’s history with Covid-19. Trump was hospitalized during a serious bout with the virus in October 2020, during a run for re-election that ended in defeat to Joe Biden. However, Trump told journalists on Air Force One after the exam, "It went, I think, well … Every test you can imagine, I was there for a long time, the yearly physical. I think I did well." Trump also mentioned that he took a cognitive test, which he scored 30 out of 30 on, according to Barbella’s report.
The Guardian understands that Trump’s cognitive test, known as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, takes about 10 minutes to administer and involves various tasks such as drawing a clock, repeating words, naming animals, and counting backwards from 100 at intervals of seven. Trump’s resting heart rate was recorded at 62 beats per minute, which is in line with previous tests and falls within the normal range of 60 beats to 100 beats per minute.
Interestingly, the report also noted that Trump is up to date on all recommended vaccines, despite his national health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, having spent years sowing doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccination. Trump himself has previously spread debunked claims about links between vaccines and autism, often invoked by Kennedy. As the Guardian previously reported, "RFK Jr giving families ‘false hope’ on autism, says outgoing US vaccine official".
The report concluded that "President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State," according to Barbella’s report. With his age and mental acuity being questioned, this report provides a comprehensive overview of Trump’s health status.
In related news, the US presidential election has seen its fair share of controversy, with concerns about the age and mental fitness of candidates. As reported by the Guardian, Biden dropped out of an electoral rematch with Trump in November 2024 and endorsed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, to succeed him. Trump won the popular and electoral votes against Harris to return to the presidency.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting to this article.
