US: Joe Biden declared 'fit for duty' after physical exam

United States President Joe Biden has been declared "fit for duty" following a a three-hour physical examination on Thursday.

The results of the exam were keenly awaited as the 80-year-old gears up for his expected run for a second term in 2024.

What did Biden's doctor say?

Some relatively minor issues were found during the extensive testing at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

That included removing a lesion from his chest. However, doctors declared him free of symptoms of long COVID after his double bout of the virus last year.

"President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those of as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief," Biden's doctor, Kevin O'Connor, said in a letter published by the White House.

"The president remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations."

The doctor reported that Biden was clear of any serious neurological problems such as "stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or ascending lateral sclerosis."

Joe Biden and a potential second run for office

Biden is the oldest person ever to serve as US president.

In an interview with PBS last week, he said anyone concerned about his age should "watch me" as president.

However, several surveys indicate that voters have concerns about his ability to serve four more years if he wins a second term. He would be 86 by the end of a second term, 13 years older than the average life expectancy for males in the US.

dvv/rt (AFP, AP, Reuters)