IBTimes – US President Donald Trump’s latest medical disclosure has drawn sharp criticism from CNN cardiologist Dr Jonathan Reiner, who described the White House memo on the president’s health as ‘evasive’ and ‘almost laughable.’
The memo, issued by Trump’s physician, Dr Barbara Bell, stated that the president had undergone ‘advanced imaging’ and appeared to be in good health.
Speaking on CNN, Dr Reiner emphasised that advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, is not a routine preventive test for someone of Trump’s age.
‘There really is no preventative cardiac MRI. This is not a standard test for an 80-year-old man to undergo advanced imaging,’ he said, noting the memo carried a ‘weird defensive, evasive tone.’
Trump had already completed a comprehensive physical examination in April and additional testing in July. Experts highlighted that, as with most presidents, one annual physical exam is the norm.
The recent imaging, they said, was therefore ‘completely off cycle.’
Memo Criticised For Vagueness
Dr Reiner also criticised the memo’s ambiguous wording, pointing out that it referred to ‘advanced imaging’ without specifying whether Trump had an MRI, a CT scan, or both.
‘It’s as if a patient came in for a chest X-ray, and I only told people that the patient underwent simple radiologic imaging. Just spell it out,’ he said.
Analysts found the mention of abdominal imaging particularly unusual as a preventive measure, suggesting it was more likely performed in response to a clinical concern.
“Things happen to people as we all get older, and the president is almost 80,” Dr Reiner said.
“Instead of this evasive, almost laughable note, just spell out what happened.” …
