A new memo released by the White House on Monday said President Trump underwent preventive cardiovascular imaging during his October physical.
The memo from Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella, comes amid questions about the lack of transparency about the imaging procedure, which wasn’t initially disclosed following Trump’s visit to Walter Reed Military Medical Center.
According to the memo, “advanced imaging” was conducted “because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.”
His cardiovascular imaging “is perfectly normal,” the memo stated, and his abdominal imaging “is also perfectly normal.”
“This level of detailed assessment is standard for an executive physical at President Trump’s age and confirms that he remains in excellent overall health.”
The White House had been reluctant to release additional details about the imaging. The public only found out because of an off-the-cuff remark Trump made to reporters on Air Force One in October.
Outside physicians initially raised questions after Trump visited Walter Reed Military Medical Center in October for what the White House described as a routine follow-up visit, though it was his second visit in six months.
Trump said Sunday he would release the results, adding he did not remember which body part was scanned.
“If you want to have it released, I’ll release it,” Trump told reporters Sunday, adding that he had “no idea” on what part of his body he got the MRI.
“It was just an MRI,” he said. “What part of the body? It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it.”
Trump’s medical history has been marked with secrecy, and critics have long accused him of trying to hide the true details of his health behind bluster.
Earlier this year, he faced scrutiny after images had been circulating online of his swollen legs and a bruised hand covered in makeup. The White House eventually disclosed his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, and officials said the bruise was caused by constant hand shaking.
An abdominal MRI to check on organs or to make sure there are no cancers is common in VIP and concierge care, said Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician to three presidents and wrote a book about his experience called “Transforming Presidential Healthcare.”
“Ultimately the doctor goes with the tests the patient will agree to,” Kuhlman said in an email. “Releasing the results of normal heart MRI and abdominal MRI should address transparency of the results.”