Bernie Sanders 'more than fit enough' for presidency despite heart attack, doctors say

Image: Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Chicago on March 3
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Chicago on March 3, 2019. Copyright Daniel Acker Bloomberg via Getty Images file
Copyright Daniel Acker Bloomberg via Getty Images file
By Dareh Gregorian with NBC News Politics
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"I am confident he has the mental and physical stamina to fully undertake the rigors of the Presidency," Sanders' longtime doctor wrote in a letter.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is "in good health" and "more than fit enough" to be president, his doctors said in letters made public Monday.

"At this point, I see no reason he cannot continue campaigning without limitation and, should he be elected, I am confident he has the mental and physical stamina to fully undertake the rigors of the Presidency," cardiologist Martin LeWinter said in one of the letters released by the Sanders campaign.

Another letter came from Dr. Brian Monahan, who said the 78-year-old Sanders has been seeing his office for 29 years.

"You have no history of tobacco use, exercise regularly, and seldom drink alcohol," Monahan wrote.

"You are in good health currently and you have been engaging vigorously in the rigors of your campaign, travel, and other scheduled activities without any limitation," he added.

Sanders also underwent a treadmill exam earlier this month, the doctors said.

"Mr. Sanders was able to exercise to a level that is approximately 50% higher than other men his age with a similar diagnosis," Dr. Philip A. Ades wrote in his letter. "Mr. Sanders is more than fit enough to pursue vigorous activities and an occupation that requires stamina and an ability to handle a great deal of stress."

The Vermont senator underwent heart surgery in October after suffering chest pains at a campaign stop in Nevada.

One of Sanders' chief rivals in the Democratic race, Joe Biden, released a letter from his doctor earlier this month. That doctor, Kevin O'Connor,wrote that Biden is a "healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency."

The two other septuagenarian Democratic candidates in the race, 70-year-old Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, 77, have also released letters from their doctors saying they're "in excellent health" and "great physical shape" respectively.

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