Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence released health details from his doctor on Saturday, again providing to the public detailed information of a kind his running mate, Donald Trump, has refused to release, regarding issues of health and taxes.
Michael Busk, Pence’s Indianapolis-based physician, wrote in a detailed letter released by the campaign that the Indiana governor was “in excellent general and cardiovascular health”.
Busk wrote that Pence, 57, had “never smoked cigarettes and [does] not drink alcohol”, like his teetotaling running mate. But Busk added far more detail about Pence’s medical history than Trump’s doctor, Harold Bornstein, has provided in two released notes so far.
Last year, Bornstein wrote a one-page note to the public declaring Trump “would be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency”. The doctor eventually admitted he had “rushed” the note, while a limousine from the campaign waited outside his office.
This week the Trump campaign released a few more details from Bornstein: that Trump, 70, is at 6ft 3in and 236lbs slightly overweight, and takes a cholesterol drug called Crestor and low-dose aspirin. Bornstein also said Trump had tested “within the range of normal” in a recent chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and colonoscopy. Trump discussed these facts in an appearance with the controversial TV doctor Mehmet Oz.
In the letter released on Saturday, Busk wrote that Pence only takes the allergy medication Claritin as needed, and that he regularly cycles and “extensively walk[s] and climb[s] stairs”.
The Indiana governor had surgery for an inguinal hernia in 2015, Busk wrote, had basal cell carcinomas removed in 2002 and 2010, and has a history of heartburn, seasonal allergies and a heart condition called bundle branch block. Busk wrote that Pence, 5ft 10in and 208lbs, tested well in stress and heart examinations and tested within the normal limit for a wide range of blood tests.
“Overall, you are in excellent general and cardiovascular health,” Busk wrote to his patient. “You are medically able to maintain your high level of professional work and your physical activity programs without limitations.”
Health questions rose to the fore after the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, abruptly left a ceremony last Sunday marking the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Clinton appeared unsteady; her campaign later revealed she had been diagnosed with mild pneumonia two days earlier, and that she would take a respite from the trail to recover. She returned to campaigning on Thursday.
This week, Clinton’s doctor, Lisa Bardack, who also released an initial note last year, released more detailed health records for the 68-year-old, who had a concussion in 2012 and has periodic allergies.
“She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as president of the United States,” Bardack wrote, saying Clinton was recovering from the pneumonia. “The remainder of her complete physical exam was normal and she is in excellent mental condition.”
Clinton’s running mate, Virginia senator Tim Kaine, also released health records this week. His doctor said the senator was in “overall excellent health and active in your professional work, and physical fitness endeavors without limitation”. Kaine drinks a “moderate” amount of alcohol and takes a vitamin D supplement, the doctor said.
Trump has repeatedly questioned Clinton’s physical stamina, and in Ohio this week asked a crowd: “You think Hillary would be able to stand up here for an hour and do this? I don’t think so.”
But he continues to defy decades of presidential history by withholding details or full tax returns, which would show voters details of his charitable donations, his personal wealth, and what taxes he does or does not pay.
Pence released his tax returns a week ago.
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