DES MOINES, Iowa — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday released three letters from doctors declaring him healthy, nearly three months after he had a heart attack while campaigning in Las Vegas, and disclosing that he no longer needed some medications relating to the attack.
One of the letters, dated Dec. 28 and signed by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of Congress, characterized Sanders as “in good health currently.”
“You have been engaging vigorously in the rigors of your campaign, travel and other scheduled activities without any limitation,” Monahan wrote.
Detailing Sanders’ recovery from the heart attack, Monahan disclosed that some of the medications he initially required, such as a beta blocker and a blood thinner, have been discontinued “based on your progress.”
“Your heart muscle strength has improved,” he added. “You have never had symptoms of congestive heart failure. The heart chamber sizes, wall thickness, estimated pressures, and heart valves are normal.”
Sanders, 78, also released letters from two cardiologists at the University of Vermont about his recovery from his heart attack, with one, Dr. Martin M. LeWinter, saying his recovery had been “uneventful.”
LeWinter, the attending cardiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center and Sanders’ personal cardiologist, also said that Sanders had experienced “modest heart muscle damage” but that his heart function was now “stable and well-preserved.”
“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,” LeWinter wrote.
Sanders’ health has been under scrutiny since early October, when he experienced chest pains during a campaign event in Las Vegas. He then had two stents inserted into an artery. His campaign did not reveal that he had suffered a heart attack until after he was released from the hospital three days after being admitted.
In October, Sanders said he would release his medical records by the end of the year, vowing that they would be “comprehensive.” Letters from doctors are not the same as full medical records, but his campaign said that the information Sanders revealed was in line with what other candidates typically release.
According to the letter from Monahan, Sanders’ most recent physical examination, on Dec. 19, showed that he was 6 feet tall and 174 pounds. His blood pressure was 102/56, with a pulse of 62 beats per minute. His total cholesterol was 117 milligrams per deciliter of blood, HDL cholesterol (or “good” cholesterol) was 32 milligrams, and LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol) was 58 milligrams.