Letters from Dick Cheney's Physicians (July 2000)
These letters, written by Cheney's physicians, were released at the time it was announced that Cheney would be the Republican Vice Presidential candidate in the 2000 election <1>. They are here reprinted verbatim.
From Gary Malakoff, director, Division of General Internal Medicine at George Washington University Medical Center:
Mr. Richard B. Cheney has received his care at The George Washington University Medical Center since 1985; I have been his primary care physician since 1995. At this time, Mr. Cheney is in excellent health. His major medical problems include:
* Coronary artery disease: Mr. Cheney has had several prior heart attacks and has undergone one bypass surgery (in 1988). He is followed closely at GW. His heart disease is treated with medication and is followed closely by myself and Dr. Jonathan Reiner, head of our Cardiac Invasive Laboratory. A most recent update of Mr. Cheney's cardiac history is attached in a letter written by Dr. Reiner. His vigorous lifestyle and exercise tolerance are excellent.
* Hyperlipidemia: Mr. Cheney has had a long history of elevated cholesterol. This has been vigorously and successfully treated with medication.
* Skin cancer: Mr. Cheney has been treated for skin cancer. He continues to be monitored closely for any recurrences.
* Knee injuries: Years ago, Mr. Cheney underwent successful surgical therapy of his right knee for old athletic injuries. There has been no recurrence.
* Gout: Mr. Cheney has had several minor episodes of gout of the foot. I monitor this closely.
* Allergy: Pomegranates (anaphylaxis).
* Cancer screening: Mr. Cheney is up to date with his colon cancer and prostate cancer screening. His last PSA (prostate specific antigen blood test) and colonoscopy were normal.
*
Medications: Mr. Cheney takes a long list of medications which are monitored closely by myself and Dr. Reiner. He has shown no side effects of any of these medications which would alter intellectual performance or impair his judgment.
Mr. Cheney is in excellent health. I monitor him closely for his known medical problems. He is up to the task of the most sensitive public office.
From Jonathan S. Reiner, director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at George Washington University Medical Center:
Mr. Cheney has a remote history of an interior wall myocardial infarction that occurred in the late 1970s. Cardiac catheterization following that episode revealed moderate coronary artery disease and he was managed medically for the next several years. A small, second myocardial infarction occurred in 1984, and again in June 1988. Cardiac catheterization during that hospitalization demonstrated an increase in the extent of his coronary disease and he subsequently underwent successful coronary artery bypass graft surgery at George Washington University by Dr. Benjamin Aaron. Following surgery, Mr. Cheney returned to his vigorous lifestyle and has been essentially asymptomatic for more than a decade. Recent nuclear stress tests have been stable, and unchanged, for the past several years. Recent echocardiography shows some left ventricular dysfunction consistent with the history and distribution of his remote myocardial infarctions.
Clinically, Mr. Cheney continues to lead an asymptomatic and extraordinarily vigorous lifestyle. He travels extensively for work, exercises 30 minutes per day several days per week on a treadmill, and engages in vigorous recreational activities such as hunting.
http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/a_cheney2000.htm
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