President Obama is healthier than most American men

President Obama arguably has the hardest, most stressful job in the world.

But he’s in better shape than most men his age, according to his latest checkup, released on Tuesday.

Obama shed 5 pounds, lowered his blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even grew an inch since his last exam in June thanks to daily exercise and a healthy diet, according to Dr. Ronny Jackson.

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“I’m impressed,” said Dr. Jennifer Haythe, a cardiologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia who treats much sicker patients.

“Basically, in every category he’s doing very well,” she added. “He’s much healthier than the average man his age.”

He’s also healthier than commanders-in-chief of the past, and ranks as one of the country’s 10 slimmest Presidents ever.

At age 54, President Obama still has perfect 20/20 vision. During his years in office, George W. Bush had to wear reading glasses — and had 20/30 vision in his right eye and 20/25 in his left.

While he was in office, McDonald’s devotee Bill Clinton — who later went vegan in 2010 after heart surgery — had a cholesterol level three points higher than Obama does now.

Obama’s good health comes from plenty of early medical intervention — and as such makes a case for his signature domestic achievement, Obamacare, which emphasizes regular screenings to prevent serious problems.

“It’s very important for people to get checked every year,” said Haythe. “The most important takeaway here is that you can make changes to diet and lifestyle, and have obvious effects on your lab results and overall health, without going on medication.”

Yet federal stats show that fewer than half of American men ages 45 to 64 visit a primary care generalist for a checkup, which is vital to catch health problems such as diabetes and various cancers while they’re still treatable.

HEIGHT

President Obama: 6-foot-1

Average: 5-foot-9 1/2

WEIGHT

President Obama: 175 pounds

Average: 201.3 pounds

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

President Obama: 22.8

Average: 29.2 — bordering on obese

HEART RATE

President Obama: 56 beats per minute

Average: 71 beats per minute

BLOOD PRESSURE

President Obama: 110 mm HG

Average: 124 mm H G — which is prehypertensive

CHOLESTEROL

President Obama: 188 mg/dL

Average: 203 mg/dL

VISION

President Obama: 20/20 perfect vision

Average: 78% of adults complain of some vision loss

With Joe Dziemianowicz

Tags:

barack obama ,

men’s health

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Health – NY Daily News