US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he had an MRI scan during a recent hospital visit, explaining for the first time why he underwent his second medical test in a year.
The Republican billionaire, who turns 80 in June, has been accused of being secretive about his health, and his surprise visit to Walter Reed Medical Center on the outskirts of Washington earlier in October prompted fresh curiosity about his physical state.
“I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Monday.
“I gave you the full results. We had an MRI, and the machine, you know, the whole thing, and it was perfect,” he added.
MRI scans, or magnetic resonance imaging, are used to diagnose a variety of illnesses, including tumors, strokes, and multiple sclerosis, as well as far less serious concerns such as muscle rips and inflammation.
The White House has not previously explained the reason for the October 10 hospital check-up, which was noticed as unusual because presidents normally have only one full exam per year.
Trump, the oldest president ever inaugurated, declined to explain why he had received the screening, instead referring media to his doctors.
“Nobody has ever given you reports like I gave you. And if I didn’t think it was going to be good, either, I would let you know negatively; I wouldn’t run, I’d do something,” Trump said.
“But the doctor said some of the best reports for the age, some of the best reports they’ve ever seen.”
During his second administration, Trump frequently appeared with bruising on his right hand, which was sometimes hidden by heavy makeup.
The White House stated that it was related to the aspirin he takes as part of a “standard” cardiovascular health regimen.
The administration stated in the summer that the president had been evaluated for leg edema and diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
The common vein disorder, which can cause cramping and skin changes, damages the valves in specific veins, enabling blood to collect. It can be treated with medicines or medical procedures.
At his second check-up, the administration stated that his test findings, including a heart screening, were normal, with no evidence of arterial disease or deep vein thrombosis.
“President Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health,” his doctor, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, wrote in a letter released by the White House.
